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Vol. 8 Issue 219
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Andalucia versus Valencia in the Michelin star battle
March 20th - April 2nd 2024
See page 40
I’M NOT PUTIN!
Government hits back as Transparency International calls for controversial new bill to add anti-interference clause as the McGrail inquiry looms THE government of Gibraltar is facing calls to include guarantees in the upcoming public inquiry bill to ensure it cannot be used to interfere in the McGrail inquiry. GIBRALTAR Transparency International UK has Rock’s sounded LI theVE alarmThe over the new ONLY free local paper RES bill, which will Seffectively give the government powers to delay or even THE SHE'Sinquiries. shut down public 'S DIAMOND rushed It is set toRO beCKcontroversially through Parliament on Friday - bypassing the usual mandatory sixweek debate - and less than a month before the McGrail inquiry begins.
EXCLUSIVE By Walter Finch
The anti-corruption watchdog likened the move to ‘moving the goalposts and appointing yourself referee when you’ve just been cautioned for foul play?’ Chief Minister Fabian Picardo hit back, asserting that the new legislation will be ‘more agile and modern’, before adding he has ‘no intention of using it to stop the inquiry’. The much-delayed investigation is looking into whether Picardo placed inappropriate pressure on former Police Commissioner Ian McGrail, 58, or interfered in police investigations before y into convened a public inquir the latter’s shock retirement in Gibraltar has finallyunding shock retirement of circumstances surroissioner Ian McGrail comm former police June 2020. Transparency International also questioned the timing of the new legislation, coming just three weeks before the inquiry begins on April 8. “Given what’s at stake for the government and some leadTel: 952 147 834 See page 5 ing figures, it’s understandable why SAGA: Has been going on for years some people are less than trusting of the government simply giving their ‘word’ they won’t use these new powers to interfere,” said Steve Goodrich, Transparency International Head of Research and Investigations. Speaking exclusively to the Olive Press, he continued: “It should be relatively straightforward for the government to offer cast iron guarantees in the legislation that they will not and cannot interfere in the inquiry’s terms of reference, pace, or l a n when it ends.” ter natio In & K He also claimed there had been no All U s m e t s ‘cogent argument’ for the need to TV sy update the old legislation and rush d n u o S it through now. CCTV - n “It’s clear that this move is at least io is V & intended to intimidate the [Mcnet r Grail] inquiry and possibly seek to e t In G fetter its independence,” Goodrich ptic & 4 O r e ib F continued. “The ones bringing forward the bill and those who’ll stand to benefit are the same people who are going to be 952 763 840 grilled by the inquiry. “Under the current legislation it is the chair of the inquiry [retired Brit635 400 099 ish judge Sir Peter Openshaw] who has most of the discretion in how it proceeds. info@theskydoctor.com “But under the new law, the very people being questioned would have www.theskydoctor.com much more of an ability to influence The most controversial comic of the moment brings his Carr crash act to the Rock after Netflix storm
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Vol. 6 Issue 166
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February 9th - February
See page 3
22nd 2022
JubiII on her Platinum lated Queen Elizabeth GIBRALTAR congratu loyal congratulations lee on Saturday. its ‘warmest and most ent which historic achievem The government issued this outstanding and to Her Majesty on of longevity’. of a 26-year-old surpasses any record ians recalled the ascension the throne after Gibraltar to many that Elizabeth It added Princess of her father, King the sudden death George VI. the presence of Eliza“For Gibraltarians, Philip, on the Rock beth II and her consort,ity to show the deep, was a special opportun ng loyalty and apabiding and unwaveri citizens,” said Chief preciation of its Picardo. Minister Fabian cares deeply about “I know that she people and that its Gibraltar and on the happy time she often reflects Philip visited in when she and Prince 1954,” he added. Opinion Page 6
NO COP OUT those repstatements made by about the resenting Mr McGrail and the Minister By Fiona Govan & GIBRALTAR’S Chief effect that his retirement inquimight have Dilip Kuner has announced a publicces surcircumstances of it ry into the circumstan for Gibraltar,” said Picardo. retirement that the oprounding the sudden ner ter Openshaw has agreed to chair “In fact, we consider the facts case. of a former police commissio term. the Inquiry, to ascertain govern- posite is the satisfied is nt half way through his Governme “The he was and report to Gibraltar’s of that matter Ian McGrail announced which Gibraltar barrister that all aspects ner of Poretiring as Commissio serving ment, Santos, has been appoint- have been entirely proper and Julian advice relice in June 2020 after based on the legal year term ed as Counsel to the Inquiry. just two years of a four ceived.” reasons be- The Government has appointed to repre- Picardo added that despite ‘the without revealing his Sir Peter Caruana QC and titrumour hind the move. public curiosity, it before the Inquiry. early after ‘contrary The decision to retire Gibraltar sent tle tattle’ he felt it wasto express 36 years with the Royal speculato the public interest’ Convene retired. Police, provoked fierce the why McGrail had parliament tion and questions in calling for The Chief Minister said: “As it The Chief Minister hinted that concerned start to recede with McGrail himself this was because it sea resultinves- COVID waters this inquiry.” at start to the matter to be properly incident is time recent first agreeing to ‘the two Spanish tigated. after At the time ofPicardo said ‘the ing in the death of Now, more than 18 months nationals’. agreed to a the inquiry, sigFabian Picardo first issue, the Government does not consider issue, obviously, has to convene an “This diplomatic public inquiry into the nificant political and of Gibralit will that it is necessary government has confirmed inquiry’. connotations outside agree at all with the tar,” added Picardo. go ahead. Sir Pe- “We do not see that or Retired High Court judge “No one can fail to
WELCOMED: McGrail
had asked for an inquiry
to be launched
awarded him an hontives youngest La Linea He was Gibraltar’safter taking orary plaque. Representa nChief Inspector ever praised the former commissio willingness to exchange the helm in 2006. of Pro- er for his border In 2009 he became HeadTraining information across the operations fessional Standards anddent and take part in joint er and became Superinten all three in the fight against cross-bord in 2012, commanding organised crime. counterdivisions of the RGP. was rec- McGrail thanked his recognition and McGrail, Gibraltar’. ts parts for theirhonour and a privfront-line Last year McGrail first served in enforce- ognised by Spanish counterpar said it was an distinction. policing along with drug on with an award. of Algeciras and ilege to receive the ment and criminal investigati Policia Nacional in 1984.
doubt that.” the Now McGrail has welcomed was of ‘parmove telling GBC it in terms of amount importance advanced the rule of law in an such as is European democracy
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QUESTION: Steve Goodrich (centre) wants clause added before McGrail (left) inquiry despite Picardo pledge
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21/6/19 13:30
Tel: 952 147 834
See pages 5 & 9
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the inquiry. So there is quite clearly a conflict of interest.” The Overseas Territory has argued that the new bill will modernise the existing Gibraltar Commissions of Inquiries Act, which dates back to 1888. They also claim that it will be a direct copy of the more modern UK Inquiries Act, which dates from 2005. “I’m not bringing to Gibraltar Vladimir Putin’s inquiries law,” Picardo told GBC News. “I’m bringing in the most progressive and modern inquiries law there is in the United Kingdom. “Not in order to have the power to be able to stop the inquiry, but in order to give the inquiry the agility and the modernity that it would have if it was being held in the UK.” He pointed out that it was the same legislation that underpinned the UK’s Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq
war and the ongoing Covid inquiry. The opposition Gibraltar Social Democrats called on the government to abandon its plans to pass the bill before the ‘McGrail Inquiry concludes its work’. “The Chief Minister, Government and Office of the Governor are all deeply conflicted here,” the opposition said in a statement.
Conflicted
“There should be no step taken that looks as if any of those deeply conflicted parties are seeking to affect the Inquiry process.” When contacted by the Olive Press, the government directed this newspaper to a press release which reiterated that it will ‘confirm on the record in Parliament that it has no intention to and will not seek to exercise the power to suspend or can-
cel the McGrail Inquiry or to otherwise affect its ability to fully and properly inquire into the reasons for the former Commissioner of Police’s early retirement.’ With this declaration, it looks like the inquiry is finally set to take place nearly a full four years after McGrail claimed he was forced from his job amid ‘misconduct and corruption at the highest level of government’. The former commissioner announced he was retiring as Commissioner of Police after serving just two years of a four-year term without revealing his reasons behind the move at the time. The Olive Press is aware of the allegations but will await the inquiry Continues on page 2
Opinion Page 6
Final 40 for Faith
FAITH: reached the final 40 while (top right) Krystyna Pyszkova won
MISS Gibraltar, Faith Torres, secured a place in the final 40 of this year’s Miss World Pageant. But she didn’t make it to the final 12 as only three contestants from each continent were chosen to proceed. From Europe these were Spain, England and the Czech Republic. Torres has previously reached the final 14 in the talent round with a piano performance. She has only played publicly once. This year’s pageant was held in Mumbai, India and crowned Krystyna Pyszkova of the Czech Republic as the 71st Miss World.