BRITAIN has confirmed it is reviewing its Royal Navy options in Gibraltar following a 22-hour illegal incursion into the Rock's territorial waters.
Foreign Office minister Mark Simmonds told the Commons the Spanish-owned RV Ramon Margalef was accompanied across the border by three Guardia Civil vessels during the incident, just 250 metres from the entrance to the Gibraltar harbour.
The Spanish crews ignored requests to leave Gibraltan waters for 22 hours after arriving on Monday. Two Royal Navy fast patrol boats, the HMS Sabre and HMS Scimitar, attended the scene.
Mr Simmonds was called to the Commons yesterday to answer an urgent question by Tory MP Bob Neill after Spain's ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Office to discuss the latest altercation.
Mr Simmonds said: "Escalation of this is in nobody's interests, it is a political solution that is required to this dispute.
"Of course, nothing is taken off the table. We constantly review the naval presence in and around Gibraltar and certainly we are doing so now.
"We are very keen to return to the ad-hoc talks the current Spanish government withdrew from back in 2011, involving both the British and Spanish governments, but also the government of Gibraltar."
Mr Simmonds said the Spanish government was wrong to think it could advance its position by pressuring Gibraltar.
Mr Neill urged the Government to consider sending stronger naval assets to Gibraltar.
Shadow Foreign Office minister Gareth Thomas said: "Spain is an ally of ours in Nato, it's an ally often in the European Council and it's an ally of ours on the world stage.
"So its actions on Gibraltar are even more reprehensible in that context. The Spanish government should be in no doubt all sides of this House share the anger about yesterday's events."
Tory MP Robert Halfon said Spain's ambassador should be "sent packing" if his country kept intimidating Britain over Gibraltar in a manner more in keeping with Iran than Europe.
Labour's Sir Gerald Kaufman called for retaliation if the Spanish navy gets involved in incursions. He said: "When the minister says a political solution is needed, surely you will accept we have the political solution?
"Gibraltar is British and the people of Gibraltar wish to remain British and that is that."
He asked Mr Simmonds: "Will you make absolutely clear to the Spanish government this constant harassment is unacceptable and that if the Spanish navy is involved in such incursions, we will retaliate but with our navy vessels, and that the harassment at the border has got to stop?"
Earlier yesterday, Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said the British Government should increase the Royal Navy's presence in Gibraltar in response to the Spanish incursion.
Mr Picardo said he would support anything that would have a "deterrent effect" following the latest incident.
He added: "I have discussed before the possibility of more senior assets of the Royal Navy being put at the disposal of the Commander British Forces in Gibraltar."
Labour MPs have suggested Foreign Secretary William Hague visit Gibraltar as a public show of Britain's commitment to protect the Rock.
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