Brexit: Lord Howard condemned over 'inflammatory' Gibraltar remarks
Video report by ITV News Political Correspondent Paul Brand
Former Tory leader Lord Howard has been condemned by critics after appearing to suggest Theresa May would be prepared to go to war over Gibraltar.
The prime minister has vowed not to trade away the Rock's sovereignty in pursuit of a trade deal with the European Union as the UK withdraws from the bloc.
But in a series of television interviews, Lord Howard repeatedly compared the situation to the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands which led to war with the UK.
Mrs May spoke to Gibraltar's leader Fabian Picardo to tell him the UK remained "absolutely dedicated to working with Gibraltar for the best possible outcome on Brexit".
Speaking to ITV News, Lord Howard said: "I think it's a remarkable coincidence that it's 35 years to the week since another woman prime minister sent a task force halfway across the world to safeguard the freedom of another small group of British people against another Spanish-speaking country, and I think Theresa May has the same resolve as her predecessor did."
Asked if he was "seriously suggesting" war with Spain, Lord Howard told Channel 4 News: "Of course not."
But the senior Tory blamed the EU for the row and added that "I can see no harm in reminding them what kind of people we are".
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "It is unbelievable that within a week of triggering Article 50 there are Conservatives already discussing potential wars with our European neighbours."
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said: "Inflammatory comments like those by Michael Howard will not help Britain get what it needs from these difficult Brexit negotiations."
The issue of Gibraltar was raised in the draft EU negotiating guidelines circulated by European Council president Donald Tusk, which indicated Madrid would be given a veto over the British overseas territory's participation in a future deal.
While there was no reference to Spain's claim to sovereignty in the EU document, the specific mention of a role for the Madrid government in deciding whether a trade deal would apply to the Rock has caused unease in Westminster.
In an effort to provide reassurance to Gibraltar, Downing Street said Mrs May "reiterated our long-standing position that the UK remains steadfastly committed to our support for Gibraltar, its people and its economy" in her call with Mr Picardo.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister said we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes, nor will we ever enter into a process of sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content.
She continued: "The Prime Minister said we remain absolutely dedicated to working with Gibraltar for the best possible outcome on Brexit and will continue to involve them fully in the process."
Spain has a long-standing territorial claim on Gibraltar, which has been held by the UK since 1713 and has the status of a British overseas territory.
Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon vowed to protect Gibraltar "all the way" and noted that in the draft guidelines "Spain is not saying that the whole thing is subject to the transfer of sovereignty".
Mr Picardo has lobbied ministers to ensure Gibraltar's interests are represented and said the issue was referred to "tangentially" in Mrs May's letter through a reference to the Government's white paper on Brexit.
He told the Andrew Marr Show: "I'm not thrilled that we are in the situation in which we are - Gibraltar voted 96% to remain.
"But we have energetically and enthusiastically decided that we have to support the Prime Minister in this process of making Brexit a success for Britain and for Gibraltar."
He said it was "only fair, proper and right that it should also apply to Gibraltar".
After speaking to Mrs May "at length", he said she was "very supportive".