Gibraltar’s representation at the Labour Party Conference continued yesterday evening with the Gibraltar Reception hosted by the Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and featuring a keynote speech by the UK Minister for Europe and the Overseas Territories Stephen Doughty MP.
The ESG questions the presence of HMS Tireless in Gibraltar today, a submarine that historically has created much unrest and controversy in the area. The lengthy repairs to this submarine, back in the year 2000, were also the catalyst for the formation of the ESG, then known as "Concerned Citizens". The group now addresses a wide range of local and regional environmental issues.
This morning the Royal Gibraltar Police presented its latest recruits: four police dogs that have just completed an intense 13-week training course. During a passing out parade held at Lathbury Barracks, police dog handlers displayed the various skills and abilities of the dogs which will form part of the RGP’s newly established Police Dog Section.
The Government is pleased to announce the opening of the new car park at the ex-Royal Gibraltar Yacht Club site. This is in line with the Government’s manifesto commitment to re-provide any loss of free parking.
A report carried out by the Principal Auditor into payments made by the former administration to S.P. (Butchers) Ltd was released into the public domain today, following its tabling in this morning’s Parliament session. The business received almost half a million pounds from the Government in 2008. Much controversy has arisen from the matter as a family member of former Minister, Edwin Reyes, had a vested interest in the company.
The Principal Auditor notes within his summary that £258,750 was paid to SP Butchers for the surrender of three stalls and two cold stores in the public market, as well as a vault at 4 Fish Market Road, which also included the payment of £30,000 for refrigeration equipment.