Chief Minister calls on Opposition MPs to clarify any relationships with Russia

The Chief Minister says neither he, nor any other GSLP-Liberal minister or member of Parliament, have or have had any relationship or done any business with citizens implicated in Putin's oligarchy - calling on Opposition MPs to now clarify any relationship they may have with Vladimir Putin's regime.

This, in response to a statement by Together Gibraltar, which said MPs should disclose any financial or professional relationships with Russian clients, and that those with directorships or partnerships in local companies should demand the disclosure of all Russian investments and assets handled by their employers.

Number Six says Together Gibraltar's statement is based on a "complete misunderstanding of the sanctions regime in force in Gibraltar", in response to its statement that economic sanctions that don't include full transparency will be lacking in "effect and credibility".

The Government says the sanctions regime provides for UK sanctions to be automatically transposed into Gibraltar law, adding Gibraltar is also adopting EU sanctions - with these lists available on the UK Government and EU websites.

The Chief Minister says Gibraltar has gone beyond most other nations, highlighting maritime sanctions which he says mean not just stopping the refuelling of oligarchs' superyachts, but also stopping services to merchant shipping vessels that fall foul of sanctions. He adds the Government is working with the UK to repatriate Gibraltarians, and working to help those seeking to move goods for Ukraine.

Fabian Picardo says the Government and Financial Services Commission have already ensured that all Gibraltar-licensed firms are aware of the sanctions and their responsibilities in making any necessary reports - and that this includes all the law firms with members in Parliament. He says he looks forward to confirmation of the same from other members of Parliament - including the GSD's Keith Azopardi, Damon Bossino, Daniel Feetham, and Elliott Phillips, as well as Roy Clinton in his capacity as a former banker.

Mr Picardo also refers to a Gibraltar Magazine interview with Marlene Hassan Nahon, in which she spoke of her time working for an American private bank, and said "it was fascinating to see the amount of money and arms that were moved around between countries". He calls on her to set out the circumstances relating to any arms sales she may have been involved with in her time as a banker - specifically what parties, entities or countries were involved, and whether any of these were related to Putin's oligarchy or states supporting Russia's invasion. The Chief Minister says we all share a responsibility to ensure strict compliance with sanctions, in an open and transparent manner.

Mr Picardo spoke to our News Editor, Christine Vasquez, following the walk for peace in Ukraine, about his response to Together Gibraltar's statement.