GSD & Government clash over Chief Minister's transaction tax fraud accusations

The GSD says punishing local businesses will not protect Gibraltar's economy.

It says it's "appalled" by the Government's suggestion that businesses could be committing consumer fraud by adjusting their prices because of the incoming transaction tax.

The Opposition's Craig Sacarello told our reporter Kevin Ruiz it's heavy-handed of the Government to accuse businesses of "fraud" - and that it shows its failure to prepare the retail sector for the practical realities of treaty implementation.

Meanwhile, the Government has hit back, saying the GSD is not on the side of workers or consumers.

It says the Opposition is also not on the side of honest traders who are not "using the transaction tax as a fig leaf for unjustified upping of their prices by 15 percent".

Number Six accuses the GSD of opportunistically jumping to the defence of those seeking to use the treaty to attempt fraud on consumers.

It says the treaty is a historic achievement that will open up a world of opportunity for people and businesses - and that it's "immoral, unjustified and unnecessary to use it as a lame excuse for financial or cheap political gain".