Speaking on BBC This Week, Mr Portillo said: “We have learnt that the EU is quite thuggish.

“And I hesitate to say that it is kind of almost mafia-like. But, I mean, it has held a gun to our head. How exactly that commends this organisation to us. 

“I mean, you more or less said it is a kind of protectionist racket. You are right if we were on the inside. But if we try to be outside they are going to bully us again and again.

“It is perfectly clear that the Spanish are going to play games with Gibraltar. The thing is going to be blackmail. It's a very very nasty business."

10-12-18 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR