British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon went ahead with a visit to Gibraltar on Monday despite protests from the Spanish government which has called the visit an "unfriendly gesture". Hoon will take part in celebrations of the 300th anniversary of the seizure of the tiny territory on the southern Spanish coast by an Anglo-Dutch naval force -- angering Spain, which brands the British presence there an occupation. Madrid last week summoned the British ambassador to complain about Hoon's visit, which Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos called the latest in a series of unfriendly gestures by Britain since Spain's new government took power. In London, the Ministry of Defence declined to comment beyond confirming Hoon had reached Gibraltar. Gibraltar Chief Minister Peter Caruana earlier dismissed Spanish protests.
