May 16 - GSD Says The “Disloyalty Card” Is The GSLP’s “Cheap Answer To Everything”
The GSD has said that Albert Isola, the Minister for Financial Services, “has failed to declare his interest in a Bahamian company and is therefore in breach of his duty as an MP and has admitted this failure.”
The Opposition says that, at a time when the Government professes transparency and accountability and the Chief Minister is attending the anti-corruption summit in London, it is the duty and obligation of the Government to lead by example. The GSD says the Government “must provide Gibraltar with an explanation why one of its Ministers has neglected his legal duties to make such a declaration” adding that, without the Panama papers disclosures, “nothing would have been publicly known”.
A statement continued: “Indeed, David Cameron was hauled over the coals by the Westminster Parliament and by the press for having made a perfectly legal small investment in his father’s fund. This information came to light in the same manner: the Mossack Fonseca revelations. In these situations, the local press has an important function to perform as was seen in the UK over the Cameron issue.
“It is Mr Isola that has let Gibraltar down. If there are any repercussions from Spain, these arise not by the dutiful and democratic acts of the Opposition, but by Mr Isola’s failure to disclose his interest. The Opposition is simply doing its job. The Opposition has been prepared to work closely with the Government on issues of vital importance such as Brexit but it will not hesitate to discharge its democratic duties domestically.
“For Government to play the Spanish card, in place of providing answers to Mr. Isola’s failure is to attempt to stifle democracy in Gibraltar. In Mr. Picardo’s ideal world, he seems to be the sole arbiter of what constitutes openness and transparency. That which his Government does meets such criteria. That which the Opposition does is harmful to Gibraltar.
“The GSD Opposition reiterates its call to the GSLP/Liberal Government to publicly justify Mr. Isola’s failure instead of pointing the finger at the Opposition.”
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