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British nuclear submarine 'surfaces off Gibraltar' as row with Spain heats up
Witnesses said they saw the submarine surface on Saturday Believe sub is HMS Tireless but officials refuse to confirm sighting Comes days after Royal Navy warship HMS Westminster arrived
By Becky Evans PUBLISHED: 10:56 GMT, 26 August 2013 | UPDATED: 13:53 GMT, 26 August 2013

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A British nuclear submarine has reportedly been spotted off the Gibraltar coast. Witnesses said they saw the vessel surface on Saturday as tensions between Spain and Britain continue to rise over fishing rights around the Mediterranean enclave. The sighting comes days after Royal Navy warship HMS Westminster arrived in Gibraltar.

Witnesses say a British nuclear submarine, believed to be HMS Tireless (pictured), surfaced off Gibraltar

The Ministry of Defence refused to confirm or deny today if a nuclear submarine is currently stationed at the enclave. A spokeswoman said if it was in Gibraltar then it was for 'routine business'. The Sun quoted an 'insider' as saying: 'There is only one reason a submarine breaks the surface - and that is to be spotted.

Last time the Trafalgar-class sub docked by the Rock it provoked anger and protests from activists (pictured)

'These things do not show themselves unless they want to be seen.' The website shipspotting.com reported that HMS Tireless - a Trafalgar-class nuclear submarine - was seen in Gibraltar in Z Berth last month. Local news in Gibraltar reported that HMS Tireless sailed into the area last month for a 'short stay as part of (the submarine's scheduled operational tasking'. If confirmed, it will be the first time the nuclear submarine has docked in the contested region since 2004. The docking of HMS Tireless, which is due to be decommissioned this year, sparked protests from Spanish activist nine years ago - the same year as the 300th anniversary of the capture of Gibraltar from Spain. The submarine caused diplomatic tensions between Britain and Spain once again in 2000 when it docked in Gibraltar for a year after the submarine developed a serious leak in the nuclear reactor primary cooling circuit. Another Trafalgar-class submarine, HMS Talent, stopped in Gibraltar this year and the enclave's first minister Fabian Picardo and his deputy Dr Joseph Garcia were given a tour. Tensions between the two countries have ramped up this year over fishing rights. Gibraltar's creation of an artificial reef with concrete blocks has provoked fury from Spanish fisherman, which they say blocks their access to certain waters. Spanish police were criticised last week when they unfurled a Spanish flag during an inspection of the reef.

Spanish police were criticised recently after they held up a Spanish flag during an inspection of an artificial reef that has caused anger among fishermen

Gibraltar accused the police of violating 'British sovereignty' by attempting to exercise jurisdiction in its territory. Last week, a fleet of almost 40 boats sailed into British waters to demand the reef be removed. Spain has also increases border checks, leading to long queues for workers and tourists entering Gibraltar. The Gibraltar government has tried in recent days to defuse tensions by proposing a change in local law to let the Spanish resume fishing in parts of the sea near the Rock.

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Comments (206)
Newest Oldest Best rated Worst rated View all These stories & particularly their comments are read all over the world,the content of many of them just reiterates how aggressive the British are. - Mr Tibbles , Castellon Spain, 26/8/2013 17:14 Click to rate Report abuse Gunboat diplomacy... bit tired now is it not ? - polheg , Worthing, United Kingdom, 26/8/2013 17:12 Click to rate Report abuse - Martin@hsf voting UKIP- ''To that dirty, smelly, filthy hole called Malta?''. Ha! A UKIP supporter in his cardigan (and his missus wearing a crimpilene dress). . - Stuperman , london, United Kingdom, 26/8/2013 17:08 Click to rate Report abuse "It is an act of war for another nation to plant a flag on land that doesn't belong to them. Is Spain trying to start a war?" - rupertlark, bucks ================In this case, no. As was pointed out on this site last week, the flying of the Spanish flag underwater is a centuries old tradition, believed to have been started by Sir Francis Drake. - GnosticBrian , Canterbury, United Kingdom, 26/8/2013 15:59 Is the tradition from the Armada after its failed attempt on England? Surprising how they got so many ships in one place at the same time, not a cultural point. Joking of course - Kind intent , Cambridge, United Kingdom, 26/8/2013 17:02 Click to rate Report abuse On its way into the Mediterranean to nuke Syria no doubt. - Norm , Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, 26/8/2013 17:00 Click to rate Report abuse We should send one the Vanguard class of nuclear subs to surface near Gibraltar and then disappear from view. Seeing how they have 16 nuclear missiles on board that would send a message to those Spaniards. Touch Gibraltar and your country gets vaporized, hehehehe. OK , I admit it might be a tad excessive. But we do have a nutty, war mongering government in charge so, it might happen? - Governator , Rochester, 26/8/2013 16:59 Click to rate Report abuse Rating 2 Rating 1 Rating 4 Rating 2 Rating (0) Rating 2

What's the point in sending the sub? It'll never get used, because our government are a bunch of turkey's. - Mooncheese , Salcombe, United Kingdom, 26/8/2013 16:59 Click to rate Report abuse The UK has a debt double that of Spain and half the population need benefits in order to rent a house from a private landlord or the council. Child poverty and underage pregnancy is record in Europe so you english are hardly in any position to boast about the economy, are you? Also, next year you will loose Scotland and all you do is concentrate in that tiny spot of land, is that clever? .................... Well Yes it is, Gib employs 9000 Spaniards and has 1% unemployment, La Linea across the border has 40% unemployment and Scotland will have the same if it leaves the UK - oldNick , east Sussex, 26/8/2013 16:59 Click to rate Report abuse What exactly are they going to fire at? Gibraltar/ Spanish customs posts...will have to get that big lump of rock out of the way first...........oh, how I wish for Gilbert & Sullivan to be alive , they would make a fantastic comic opera about this piddling affair. - thommo , solihull, 26/8/2013 16:55 Click to rate Report abuse What would Mrs. Thatcher have done? Shown a bit of backbone! - anthea , Sanremo, 26/8/2013 16:53 Click to rate Report abuse Share this comment The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Rating 3 Rating 1 Rating 17 Rating 4

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