Brexit would pose 'existential threat to Gibraltar's economy', chief minister warns

A "hard Brexit" from the EU would pose an "existential threat" to Gibraltar's economy, the territory's chief minister has warned.

Fabian Picardo told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "What might be a disastrous exit for the United Kingdom would be an existential threat to Gibraltar's current economic model."

Gibraltar, which relies on thousands of Spanish workers crossing into the territory every day, voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU in the June 23 referendum.

The government is in discussions with Scotland about what kind of arrangements the British overseas territory could have with the EU once the UK finally exits.

Picardo said one possibility could be a "reverse Greenland" model.

Greenland is a self-governing territory which is part of Denmark, but it left the EU in 1985 following a referendum vote.

Picardo rejected suggestions that Gibraltar would have to concede some form of joint sovereignty to Spain if it was to continue to enjoyed free access to EU labour and markets.