Threats to kill Chief Minister: local man arrested & released on bail

Man arrested by police & released on bail

The Royal Gibraltar Police has told GBC a 38 year old local man has been arrested on suspicion of Making Threats to Kill and Improper Use of a Public Electronic Communications Network.

The RGP says the man was released on bail as the investigation continues, and that it will not make any further comment at this time.

Chief Minister reported threats to police

The Chief Minister says he has received death threats as a result of what he calls the "sensationalist" and "biased" nature and language of the Principal Auditor's report.

The Government says, "The agitation that has been generated by the publication and coverage of the former Principal Auditor's report, a report that the Government considers to be biased and politically motivated, has now led to libellous accusations, threats of violence, and members of our community feeling publicly vilified".

The Government says it follows legal advice in all settlements reached with current or former public employees, and that these settlements protect the taxpayer from the greater costs of litigation.

It says the Principal Auditor's report highlights a settlement involving an individual described as a GSLP supporter - but does not mention settlements with people aligned with the GSD, including former Government ministers.

Number Six says, "The Government does not, and has never, taken political affiliation into account when making these decisions."

The Chief Minister says the Principal Auditor's report is being unfairly weaponised against the Government, and that he treats all individuals of all political parties in the same way.

Fabian Picardo says, "As a result, however, of the sensationalist nature and language of the former Principal Auditor's biased report, I am now the subject of death threats which I have today reported to the Royal Gibraltar Police."

He says, "I am confident that we have acted properly in controlling overtime like never before, in resolving issues in the collection of refuse, in properly settling legal claims against the Government and every aspect of our functions as a Government."

Mr Picardo says he will continue to respond to all the "unwarranted and biased" allegations against himself and others in the Government and public sector - and that he also looks forward to addressing the report in Parliament.