Jan 30 - Initial GSD Response To Giraldi Home Inquiry
Pending the publication of the full Report on the Dr Giraldi Home Inquiry, the Opposition, at this stage, says it welcomes the fact that out of a voluminous and exhaustive document, comprising 4 volumes, 16 chapters and 10 annexes, the Chief Minister’s brief conclusion of the same is simply that “any instances of mismanagement, misconduct and malpractice at the Home were infrequent and at the lower age of the scale for this type of behaviour”.
The Opposition says both it and the public at large can only draw comfort from the Chief Minister’s conclusion, which at face value “contrasts sharply with the very serious allegations which the GSLP-Liberals have been giving publicity to for many years.” These included, says the Opposition, allegations of sexual abuse of vulnerable people and accusations that the GSD administration hid instances of abuse under the carpet and instructed the RGP and the Attorney General not to investigate, although the Chief Minister now claims that his greatest concern was always the allegations of “malpractice”. As a result of the adverse propaganda that was generated, says the GSD, which saw GSLP politicians calling in Spanish TV cameras to their Party Headquarters, the Spanish TV Programme, “Espejo Publico” labelled Dr Giraldi Home as “the House of Horrors”.
The Opposition says it reserves further comment until such time as the full Report has been studied, at which point it will be in a better position to pass judgement on whether the cost of this Inquiry to the tax payer (which the Opposition believes might run into a six-figure sum) has been justified.
