The
OLIVE PRESS
FREE
GIBRALTAR
Vol. 6 Issue 166
www.theolivepress.es
The Rock’s ONLY free local paper
February 9th - February 22nd 2022
The most controversial comic of the moment brings his Carr crash act to the Rock after Netflix storm See page 3
SHE'S THE ROCK'S DIAMOND GIBRALTAR congratulated Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee on Saturday. The government issued its ‘warmest and most loyal congratulations to Her Majesty on this outstanding and historic achievement which surpasses any record of longevity’. It added that many Gibraltarians recalled the ascension of a 26-year-old Princess Elizabeth to the throne after the sudden death of her father, King George VI. “For Gibraltarians, the presence of Elizabeth II and her consort, Philip, on the Rock was a special opportunity to show the deep, abiding and unwavering loyalty and appreciation of its citizens,” said Chief Minister Fabian Picardo. “I know that she cares deeply about Gibraltar and its people and that she often reflects on the happy time when she and Prince Philip visited in 1954,” he added. Opinion Page 6
NO COP OUT
Gibraltar has finally convened a public inquiry into circumstances surrounding shock retirement of former police commissioner Ian McGrail GIBRALTAR’S Chief Minister has announced a public inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the sudden retirement of a former police commissioner half way through his term. Ian McGrail announced he was retiring as Commissioner of Police in June 2020 after serving just two years of a four year term without revealing his reasons behind the move. The decision to retire early after 36 years with the Royal Gibraltar Police, provoked fierce speculation and questions in parliament with McGrail himself calling for the matter to be properly investigated. Now, more than 18 months after Fabian Picardo first agreed to a public inquiry into the issue, the government has confirmed it will go ahead. Retired High Court judge Sir Pe-
By Fiona Govan & Dilip Kuner ter Openshaw has agreed to chair the Inquiry, to ascertain the facts and report to Gibraltar’s government, which Gibraltar barrister Julian Santos, has been appointed as Counsel to the Inquiry. The Government has appointed Sir Peter Caruana QC to represent it before the Inquiry.
Convene
The Chief Minister said: “As the COVID waters start to recede it is time to start this inquiry.” At the time of first agreeing to the inquiry, Picardo said ‘the Government does not consider that it is necessary to convene an inquiry’. “We do not agree at all with the
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statements made by those representing Mr McGrail about the effect that his retirement and the circumstances of it might have for Gibraltar,” said Picardo. “In fact, we consider that the opposite is the case. “The Government is satisfied that all aspects of that matter have been entirely proper and based on the legal advice received.” Picardo added that despite ‘the public curiosity, rumour and tittle tattle’ he felt it was ‘contrary to the public interest’ to express why McGrail had retired. The Chief Minister hinted that this was because it concerned ‘the recent incident at sea resulting in the death of two Spanish nationals’. “This issue, obviously, has significant political and diplomatic connotations outside of Gibraltar,” added Picardo. “No one can fail to see that or doubt that.” Now McGrail has welcomed the move telling GBC it was of ‘paramount importance in terms of the rule of law in an advanced European democracy such as is Gibraltar’. McGrail first served in front-line policing along with drug enforcement and criminal investigation in 1984.
WELCOMED: McGrail had asked for an inquiry to be launched
He was Gibraltar’s youngest Chief Inspector ever after taking the helm in 2006. In 2009 he became Head of Professional Standards and Training and became Superintendent in 2012, commanding all three divisions of the RGP. Last year McGrail, was recognised by Spanish counterparts with an award. Policia Nacional of Algeciras and
La Linea awarded him an honorary plaque. Representatives praised the former commissioner for his willingness to exchange information across the border and take part in joint operations in the fight against cross-border organised crime. McGrail thanked his counterparts for their recognition and said it was an honour and a privilege to receive the distinction.