Keith Vaz Faces Criticism Over Failure To Address Gibraltar Issues

by Mandy Robinson, Tax-news.com, London

13 April 2001

Europe Minister Keith Vaz has come under fire from members of the cross-party Commons foreign affairs committee, which has criticised him over the government's failure to take a 'sufficiently robust' line with Spain over Gibraltar.

The foreign affairs committee said the lack of progress on a whole range of issues, including Gibraltar's border crossing delays, left it feeling exasperated. Although Mr Vaz had reassured the foreign affairs committee several times that the Foreign Office was doing 'everything it possibly can', the problems had not been dealt with, said the committee in a report which stated: 'During the evidence session, we made it clear to Mr Vaz that the government's approach to Spain was not sufficiently robust with respect to Gibraltar.'

The report stipulated that certain recommendations should be carried out by the Foreign Office such as ensuring that Gibraltarians are given the right to vote before the European elections in 2004, implementing a policy of 'publicly rebutting factually inaccurate statements' made by Spanish ministers - this is in particular relation to Mr Vaz's failure to rebut comments made about Gibraltar by Spain's foreign minister, Josep Pique - and taking a 'far firmer line' with Spain over its 'inadequate allocation' of no more than 30,000 telephone numbers in Gibraltar.

In a stinging attack, shadow Foreign Secretary Francis Maude claimed the report clearly indicated that Mr Vaz was not able as a minister for Europe, saying: 'Mr Vaz clearly does not possess the intellect, judgment or strength of character to do his job. We need a Minister for Europe who will treat European matters as a priority and not brush them under the carpet where the problems build up rather than go away. Mr Vaz has failed to do his job and Britain is suffering.'

In its defence, the Foreign Office rebuffed the Committee's criticisms, saying that it attached 'great importance' to resolving matters affecting Gibraltar. A spokesperson claimed: 'the government has been robust in defending Gibraltar's interests. Keith Vaz and senior Foreign Office officials have regular meetings with the chief minister of Gibraltar and there are ongoing discussions at a high level on key matters of mutual interest.'

This is not the first time Mr Vaz has come up against criticism. The same committee has previously complained about his failure to visit the Balkans in his capacity as a European Minister, and the international development committee accused him of withholding information with regard to a dam project in Turkey.

Mr Vaz is currently on sick leave after recently collapsing before conducting a television interview. He has faced an inquiry by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Elizabeth Filkin, over his links with the Hinduja brothers who are under investigation in India for their alleged involvement in an arms bribery scandal, and may face a further enquiry.

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