Spanish Prime Minister Says "Spain Will Defend Its Interests in Gibraltar"

The small British territory in the Mediterranean borders Spain

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said Spain would take "proportionate" steps to protect its national interests after it emerged that a rapid reaction force of British warships would visit the island's waters.

Tension between Britain and Spain over Gibraltar's sovereignty have intensified since Gibraltar decided to create an artificial reef in its waters - something which Spain says hurts its fishermen. Spain retaliated by imposing punitive border checks.