Spain border checks to be probed by EU

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso spoke with prime minister Mariano Rajoy yesterday to agree the visit could take place on September 25 to assess border controls and the free movement of people and goods.

Spain imposed strict checks on traffic at the border with Gibraltar in protest at the creation of an artificial reef. They said the 74 concrete blocks on the seabed disrupt an area used by its fishing boats, while the Gibraltarians say it was a necessary environmental measure.

There have been reports of increasing violence at the border as angry commuters face long queues to get to homes in Andalusia. Two Spanish unions organised a protest after reports an officer was injured by a Gibraltar-registered car that failed to stop.