Britain has protested to Spain after two drivers from Gibraltar were turned back at the border and appealed to the European Commission to intervene, after serious threats to restrict air access via Spain to Gibraltar.
Gibraltar's chief minister, Mr Peter Carauna, urged the British government to "challenge these actions effectively" and attacked "un-European, undemocratic attempts to force the territory to accept Spanish sovereignty".
Tension has been mounting for several weeks in a dispute about over rights. But the row escalated yesterday when two drivers holding Gibraltar driving licences - recognised by the European Union - were turned back, and the Spanish foreign minister, Mr Abel Matutes, told parliament he might ban flights to the rock through Spanish airspace.