<P> Gibraltar was given the Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006 by Britain which established a form of government whereby the Governor of Gibraltar is responsible for the conduct of external affairs , defence , internal security and for certain appointments to public office , and the Government of Gibraltar is made responsible for all other matters . The UK believes that as an independent territory , recognised by the United Nations Gibraltar enjoys the individual and collective rights that are set out in the 2006 constitution and the right of self - determination . Spain disputes the legality of the constitution and claims that it does not change the position of Gibraltar as a colony of the UK with only the UK empowered to discuss Gibraltar matters on the international scene . </P>
what territory is spain and the united kingdom in a dispute over
Gibraltar