Madrid stated they left the area after being contacted by the Spanish warship. Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said a Spanish navy ship named Tornado was policing the area on Sunday in what he said was a standard procedure. Mr Borrell told reporters in Brussels, “The Tornado called three commercial ships that were breaking maritime security law in Spanish territorial waters by standing still”

Mr Borrell added: “Those ships responded to the requests of the Tornado and abandoned the area.”

But, the Gibraltar government differs from this interpretation of events.

They have indicated the Spanish warship tried to order commercial shipping to leave anchorages in British waters near the Rock on Sunday but was challenged by the British Royal Navy and sailed away.

Neither side mentioned the nationality of the commercial ships.

The dispute has deepened with UK defense minister Gavin Williamson saying on Monday, “We will always be there to defend our sovereign interests and defend Britain’s national interests.”

This comes after the Defence minister’s plan to scare away Spanish vessels off Gibraltar by using paintballs.

Gibraltar’s chief minister Fabian Picardo said in a statement, “Anyone who believes in the rules-based international legal order will have been shocked by the cavalier and quixotic actions of the Spanish military vessel at the weekend,

“This childish behavior is unsatisfactory whether it is errant or directed from above,”

Picardo added: “The people of Gibraltar won’t be bullied now or after the 29th of March.”

Mr Picardo was referring to the date when Britain is set to leave the European Union.

Tensions over territorial waters often erupt between Spanish and British vessels around Gibraltar

The peninsula on the southern tip of Spain overlooking the strait between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea that has been ruled by Britain since 1713.