South West and Gibraltar MEP welcomes right of Gibraltarians to vote in EU elections

4.30.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th Apr 2006

The ECJ's Advocate-General has upheld the right of Gibraltarians to participate in European Parliament elections as part of the South West England constituency

Speaking following the preliminary opinion of the Advocate-General of the European Court of Justice released this morning, Graham Watson, the Lib Dem MEP for the South West and Gibraltar commented:

"I am delighted that the Advocate-General of the Court of Justice has today upheld the right of Gibraltarians to participate in European elections as part of the South West England constituency which I have the great privilege to represent.

"Whilst the message is not a comforting one for non-UK Commonwealth citizens resident in Gibraltar, who may now find themselves disenfranchised, the main substance of the Spanish government's complaint was rejected.

"I hope that the final judgment of the Court will confirm that all those living on the Rock are able to enjoy their full democratic rights."