Nov 25 - Gingell Rejects GSLP Claim That He Covertly Recorded Bossano
Mr Gareth Gingell has immediately rejected the claim made by the GSLP-Liberals that he was responsible for a covert recording of Joe Bossano which has been posted on YouTube.
Here is his statement in full:
“It is with great sadness and some anger that I read the latest false statement issued by the GSLP Gibraltar Government, which details a serious accusation by the Acting Chief Minister Fabian Picardo inferring that I am either directly or indirectly responsible for recording a private meeting I held with the Hon Mr Joe Bossano, further inferring that I am directly or indirectly responsible for a number of youtube videos which have been “leaked” detailing a number of sound bites of an unknown meeting.
“At the beginning of my private meeting with Mr Bossano a few months ago, I made clear that no recording was to occur, as there were extremely private issues I wanted to bring to his attention, which were:
1) The Chief Minister suing me at the time for stating an opinion and publicly available information
2) Explaining some of the reasons why I left the GSLP and why I wouldn’t be coming back
3) Lobbying for his assistance to get a boiler fitted for a vulnerable adult living on his own
4) Talking generally about Socialism in Gibraltar
5) Discussing more private issues, at which point 2 other individuals who were in the room (Jared Negron and Juan Carlos Perez) were kindly asked to leave. Also present in the office that day was Derek Desoiza, who stayed outside the room in which the meeting occurred.
“I would like to take this opportunity to state clearly that at no time during the said meeting did I have any form of recording device or mobile phone on my person. At no time during the meeting was I “highly disparaging” of Mr Feetham - in fact on the contrary I mentioned that he would have a guaranteed vote from me as he was one of the only people in the GSD at the time (new candidates were yet to be presented) other than Mr Reyes that had my guaranteed vote (my opinion being that they were natural fighters for the people they represent). The only discussion I recall that I had with reference to Mr Cortes, was suggesting that the GSLP would have been better served with a more appropriate socialist heir to the party, rather than the fervent capitalist Mr Picardo.
“I will not discuss what other parties to that meeting may or may not have said, as I hold the topics of private meetings to be just that - private. Unfortunately, the intention by Mr Picardo issuing this press release is to tarnish and damage my good character and deliberately cause issues of confidence or trust between myself, and a man who has always been like a Grandfather for me. I would not do anything to betray his trust, and in fact, wanted to warn him off of the fact that I had heard a recording of how he spoke to the 35 trainees who alleged they were bullied, and that it painted him in a bad light.
“In light of these completely untrue accusations by the Chief Minister, I have no option but to pursue legal advice in seeking damages to my reputation and character.
“It is also worth noting, that neither YGTV nor GBC, which initially reported this statement by the Chief Minister, sought to clarify or seek comment from myself on an article which gave severe accusations against me, prior to publication, as would be expected by journalist standards.”
Editor’s Note: YGTV, for its part, has apologized to Mr Gingell for this oversight.
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