CM says Inquiry Report "completely exonerates" the Government

The Chief Minister says the McGrail Inquiry Report "completely exonerates" the Government from the "spurious allegations" made against it.

Fabian Picardo gave a ministerial statement live from Number Six at 3pm, timed to coincide exactly with the publication of the report.  

He says the report vindicates his position that he believed the then Commissioner had lied to him, and that his loss of confidence in Ian McGrail was therefore justified.

Mr Picardo said the Government will accept the report's recommendations in full to strengthen the culture and oversight of Gibraltar's institutions.

He also apologised to anyone who felt his actions had not been up to the standard expected of a Chief Minister.

However, Fabian Picardo said he'd been advised some of Sir Peter Openshaw's criticisms against him are "legally unfair" and "contradictory" - and that he will consider a legal challenge against them. 

And speaking to GBC, the Chief Minister said the Inquiry, which has cost the taxpayer £8 million, could have been avoided.

Fabian Picardo said he'd met Ian McGrail in 2020 about settling for £50,000. He says Mr McGrail asked for £250,000 and an apology and at the end of the day had got neither.

Christine Vasquez first put to Mr Picardo that his Ministerial statement had been quite extraordinary in that it had omitted strong allegations against him.