GSD hits back at CM defence of conflicts of interest Bill

The GSD says Gibraltar’s proposed conflicts of interest law fails to include clear safeguards to prevent political favouritism in the awarding of high value contracts and senior public appointments.

Opposition Leader Keith Azopardi says the Bill is nothing like the Canadian model, and will allow abuse to continue unchecked.

The Opposition argues the draft legislation contains no meaningful restrictions on ministers or senior public officials moving directly into publicly funded roles or contracts after leaving office.

The GSD says the Canadian model contains clear legal prohibitions, including restrictions on awarding contracts to relatives or close associates of ministers, which it says are absent from Gibraltar’s draft bill.

Leader of the Opposition Keith Azopardi argues the draft law will not properly prevent conflicts of interest and says people are entitled to question why stronger protections have not been included.

Mr Azopardi also compared the proposed legislation to the Anti-Corruption Authority Act, passed more than three years ago but still not brought into force, describing it as another example of promised reforms failing to materialise.