The GSD have issued a statement in reply to the Government’s recent comments regarding the Moorish Castle managment contract that was given to Fortress Attractions Ltd without tender.

A statement from the GSD follows below:

True to form, there is absolutely nothing in what the Minister for Heritage, Mr Cortes has offered in reply to  the GSD’s concerns in respect of the grant of the contract for the running of the Moorish Castle by  Knightsfield Holdings Limited to Fortress Attractions Ltd, without tender, which clarifies anything. 

Again and as is normal for Mr Cortes, he not only fails to address any of the legitimate concerns raised by  the GSD, he then descends to personal insults in attacking Mr Bossino. 

The Government clearly considers it a satisfactory state of affairs that a potentially lucrative contract in  respect of a major tourist site such as the Moorish Castle , can by-pass procurement and tender regimes on  the basis that another private company - in this case Knightsfield Holdings – has itself awarded the contract,  independent of any oversight by the Government. This is not surprising as it is exactly the same  questionable approach adopted in respect of other arrangements such as the grant of the contract awarded  by Wildlife Limited (which also receives £1.25M annually in public money)to another company in respect of  the running of the Botanical Gardens Theatre. 

Damon Bossino said: “If big public contracts are awarded it would be expected, if the Government is acting  prudently, to have at least been consulted on or given consent to sub-contracting arrangements.”