The GSD have noted the appointment of Mr Phil Sharman as the new Principal Auditor.

A statement from the GSD follows below:

The GSD notes the announcement of the appointment of Mr Phil Sharman as the new Principal Auditor on 1  June 2025, following the advice of the Specified Appointments Commission.  

Roy Clinton MP the GSD Shadow Minster for Public Finance stated the following:  “The role of the Principal Auditor is a vital one in assisting Parliament in scrutinising public finances and  holding Government to account. This GSLP/Liberal Government is far from being committed to concepts  such as ‘value for money’ and ‘transparency in the use of public funds’. The proof being delivered by the  retiring Principal Auditor Mr Tony Sacramento in his reports for 2017 and 2018 delivered in January last year.  The public rightly reacted with horror at the wanton waste and abuse exposed in those reports.  

We wish Mr Sacramento all the best on his well-earned retirement with the thanks of HM Opposition and the  people of Gibraltar for having professionally executed his role without fear. Mr Sharman faces a Herculean  task in completing the audits of the six years of outstanding Gibraltar Government accounts but assure him,  and the staff of the Gibraltar Audit Office, of the support of the GSD whether in Government or Opposition.”  

Keith Azopardi KC MP the Leader of the Opposition stated:  “Being Principal Auditor is not an easy job. We are thankful for the efforts of Mr Sacramento over so many  years and wish him well in retirement. As the last Principal Auditor’s reports have made clear there is a huge  backlog in reporting which in large part has been created by the GSLP Government obstructing the conclusion  of the reports. Part of the task of this new Principal Auditor will be to deliver timely accountability of  Government finances because accountability delayed is accountability denied to the people of Gibraltar. It is  clear that there are plenty of examples of waste, abuse and mismanagement that need to be dealt with and  brought into light in a much more contemporaneous way.”