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UK considers 'unprecedented' legal action over Gibraltar

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Gibraltar cars queueThe UK government is considering legal action against Spain over the imposition of additional border checks in Gibraltar, Downing Street has announced.

A spokesman said that the prime minister was "very disappointed" by Spain's failure to remove the checks over the weekend.

Legal action through the EU would be "unprecedented", the spokesman added.

The Spanish government, which has said its checks are essential to stop smuggling, said it would not relax border controls.

Spain said it had an "obligation" to police the border, and insisted its controls were legal and proportionate.

A government spokesman also said Spain was considering taking the dispute to the UN Security Council, where it could seek the support of Argentina.

He told the BBC that although the Falkland Islands - over which Britain went to war with Argentina - and Gibraltar were different issues, there were similarities between the two disputes.

The issues to be raised at the UN could include disputed waters, Britain's failure to comply with previous UN resolutions and the disputed stretch of land which links Gibraltar and Spain, he said.

The row was sparked after Gibraltar created an artificial reef which, the Spanish say, will destroy fishing in the area.

Madrid stepped up border controls, which caused lengthy traffic queues, and suggested a €50 (£43) fee could be applied to every vehicle entering or leaving the British territory.

A Downing Street spokesman called Spain's actions "disproportionate and politically motivated".

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