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Diplomatic row as navy uses flag as a target
A Royal Navy boat sparked a diplomatic row after appearing to use the Spanish flag as a machine-gun target.
Sailors patrolling off the coast of Gibraltar fired at a red and yellow flag fixed to a buoy.
The crew of the Portsmouth-based fast patrol vessel HMS Scimitar took part in the exercise last week and are said to have hastily removed the buoy when they were approached by a Spanish police boat.
Following the incident, Giles Paxman, the UK's new ambassador in Madrid, was summoned to the Spanish foreign ministry for a dressing- down.
Officials said he had conceded there had been an error of judgment.
But the ambassador – who has been in the post for just a month – denied the crew of Scimitar had been insulting Spain's flag, insisting the sailors had actually been firing at Nato's maritime flag for the number 'one', which shares the same distinctive colours.
Mr Paxman promised an investigation into the incident.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'Flag No 1 is traditionally used on gunnery targets due to its high visibility. However, we recognise its similarity to the Spanish national flag and will use an alternative marker during gunnery practice in this area in the future.'
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Friday 10 February 2012
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