Radi(ation) Free Spain

This little episode is really pretty ridiculous.

The British nuclear submarine HMS Sceptre arrived on Thursday for a week-long stay in port in the British territory of Gibraltar, embassy sources said, describing the visit as "routine".

The sources said the sub would remain in port for routine maintenance after arriving in mid-afternoon and that the Spanish foreign ministry had been informed.

British nuclear-powered subs occasionally dock in Gibraltar, a British possession on the southern Spanish coast, but their visits have been a source of contention with Madrid.

Last year's visit by HMS Tireless led to a Spanish protest, with Madrid regarding its arrival as "unfriendly."

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said its presence showed a "lack of sensitivity" towards the Spanish people, and the Tireless left port two days early in view of the protest.

Well, there are several things I have to say about this one. Surprised? Don't be.

What's the safest form of renewable energy ever engineered? Nuclear power. British nuclear submarines are nearly as safe as American nuclear submarines. So this money shot...

Spain was irked by a previous visit from the Tireless to Gibraltar in 2000 when it put into port for almost a year following a problem with its reactor's cooling system.

On that occasion people living in localities adjoining Gibraltar protested amid fears the sub could leak radioactive material.

... is pretty much ludicrous. The Spanish have nothing to fear from a British or American submarine, it's not an "unfriendly" act. Besides, Gibraltar has voted on two occasions (most recently in 2002), in spite of pressure from Spain, to remain a British dependency.

If I were the British government, I'd say "Right then, chaps, sorry if you're a bit squeamish, but we're busy having a cuppa tea, and we'll stay in our territory as long as we like."