European Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation José Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, together with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, met in Brussels earlier today.
The Gibraltar Social Democrats are concerned about the possible ramifications of the decision recently issued by the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority (GRA), dated 18th April, 2013. The decision is contained in what is described as a “Closure Statement”. It follows an investigation carried out by the Regulatory Authority at the request of the Liberal Party regarding its non-inclusion in GBC’s Viewpoint programme shown on 14th March, 2013.
“This is a terrible decision for democracy”, said Isobel Ellul-Hammond, GSD Spokesman, “it cannot be right that the effect of all of this is to, in fact, give the parties in the Government greater prominence in any future debate. That on a debate of political importance, such as the one which was the subject of the Viewpoint programme in question (i.e. Parliamentary Reform) the GSD representative should have to debate with, in effect, two Government representatives is nonsensical.”
The GSD has expressed concern over private limited company ‘Construction and Maintenance Company Limited’ which is registered at the Chief Minister’s Office at Number 6 Convent Place. The GSD adds that the sole director is not a civil servant, but is in fact a well-known and vocal GSLP activist. They insist that at least one registered shareholder appears to be a public servant.
The director of the company has apparently stated in social media that the company is one of 20 similar companies that are employing Future Job Strategy trainees. This was also highlighted in the The New People.
Last week, Customs Officers disrupted a cigarette exportation operation that involved eight men. The men were intercepted at the northern end of eastern beach road whilst in the process of running towards the frontier fence carrying master cases of cigarettes.
When challenged by Customs Officers, the men discarded the cases and fled into the sea. The Gibraltar Defence Police attended in support of the HMC operation with a presence at the east end of the airfield.