DEFENCE Secretary Grant Shapps put two fingers up to Spain by cancelling a Red Arrows air show in a furious row over Gibraltar.

       The Spanish, who claim The Rock as their own, made it virtually impossible for the display team to perform there for the first time in 14 years.

       2

       A Red Arrows air show in Spain has been cancelled in a furious row over Gibraltar Credit: Alamy 2

       The Spanish claim Gibraltar as their own Credit: Alamy

       In retaliation, Mr Shapps axed another show in Menorca yesterday — while the daredevil pilots were preparing to take off at dawn.

       A source said: “The Spanish were being d***s about the Gibraltar show.

       “They had threatened to ban inbound civilian flights from using Malaga as their designated diversion airport.

       “That would mean every plane to Gibraltar would need more fuel to get to an airport further away in an emergency.

       READ MORE RAF NEWS true legend GMB fans can't believe show guest's real age as RAF veteran tackles abseil

       CLIP YOUR WINGS RAF would struggle to defend Britain in war due to cuts, report warns

       “That’s more weight, more cost and, as some airlines might decide it’s not worth it, fewer flights to Gibraltar — which would hit the island’s economy.”

       Local officials, facing an election next month, took the threat seriously enough to ask the Ministry of Defence to cancel the Gibraltar show.

       Angry Mr Shapps went even further, by banning the Menorca one too.

       A defence source said: “It’s totally hypocritical. Spain were happy for the Red Arrows to perform in Menorca, to boost that island’s economy, but not on Gibraltar. They can’t have their paella and eat it.”

       Most read in The Sun

       AIR LINES BA pilot snorts coke off topless woman... then tries to fly packed plane to UK

       PARK HORROR Center Parcs staff member who died after being hit by car is pictured

       ENDER AN ERA Danny Dyer reveals damning reason he left EastEnders & slams former co-stars

       WALLIAMS HITS BACK David Walliams SUES BGT bosses after he was axed over X-rated rant

       The MoD said: “As part of operational planning, a variety of potential display dates and locations are considered by the RAF.

       “A wide range of factors are taken into account.”

       The Red Arrows have performed in Gibraltar just twice in the last 30 years, the last time in 2009.