Political disputes over Principal Auditor's Report sees notice of motions from both sides of House

The political discourse surrounding the Principal Auditor's report has culminated in two motions to be presented in Parliament.

The Chief Minister's motion will propose that the report fails to conform to standards of independence and objectivity.

While, the Leader of the Opposition has presented a Motion of no Confidence in the Chief Minister.

The report was not accepted in Parliament with the Speaker ruling proper procedure had not been followed.  The net result of this has been that the Principal Auditor's report will have to wait till after the summer to go under Parliamentary scrutiny.

Today both the Government and the Opposition have given notice of motions to be presented then.

The Chief Minister's motion says the report contains material errors and is designed to be politically biased against the Government, aligning with Opposition policies.

He claims this compromises the accuracy and reliability of the Report and significantly constrains and limits the reliance Parliament can place on it

The motion concludes that Parliament therefore rejects the criticism of the Government contained in the Report.

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Keith Azopardi's motion states the Chief Minister and his Government have orchestrated a scandalous abuse of power and an assault on democracy.

The Opposition Leader says this goes well beyond an attempt to rewrite the narrative in the Auditor’s Report.  He claims it's about the use of State power to quash criticism and silence individuals so that the Government can get on with the unquestioned use of power and taxpayer money.

He says it is a chilling message to everyone that dissent will not be tolerated by this GSLP/Liberal Government.

Mr Azopardi describes the GSLP Liberal administration as politically bankrupt, and having lost respect for constitutional checks and balances.

But the GSD motion is dead in the water with the Government already indicating it will use its parliamentary majority to defeat it.

It's not the first time it has done this, with the Government deflecting and amending a motion by Roy Clinton in February last year.

In a statement the Government says the GSD is entitled to bring such a motion, but the public will rightly see this for what it is: political theatre from an Opposition that continues to lack substance or credibility.

The Government already plans to table an amendment to the GSD’s motion to completely change it and reflect what it says is the inverse reality, that the House has no confidence in the Leader of the Opposition.

Fabian Picardo says Keith Azopardi leads a party that has become increasingly divided and direction-less.

His leadership, he says, has seen the GSD lurch from one internal crisis to another-He has presided over election defeats, a demoralised party, and a string of ill-conceived public interventions that have left even his own supporters questioning his political judgment.

When the vote is taken, he adds, it will reflect the confidence the House continues to place in the Chief Minister and the work of the Government. A Government that has delivered for Gibraltar and will continue to do so.

CHARLES GOMEZ ON PRINCIPAL AUDITOR'S REPORT

And Barrister Charles Gomez has strongly criticised the Chief Minister’s motion against the Principal Auditor, calling it unconstitutional and a breach of natural justice.

Mr Gomez, who represents former Commissioner Ian McGrail in the Inquiry into his retirement, warns it sets a dangerous precedent by undermining independent oversight, urges the Speaker to rule it out of order, and calls on citizens to defend democratic principles.