A statement from the Government follows below:

The Government considers that the GSD are clutching at straws in their arguments on the management of Heritage sites. As has become their modus operandi, they take any opportunity to complain whilst being entirely ineffective themselves and devoid of any real alternatives or ideas. 

All of the issues raised by Mr Bossino have already been answered by the Government. It seems he would prefer to do nothing with our Heritage assets rather than move forward: a strategy the former GSD administration followed to the letter.  

With all of his previous grievances answered, Mr Bossino now pretends to take umbrage with the use of the Expressions of Interest process simply to drag the issue out and thereby keep his name in the Press. 

As has been explained ad nauseum, the EOI process for sensitive heritage sites like the Northern Defences is a transparent method to handle complex projects, requiring specific expertise and vision, that traditional tenders cannot cover. 

At the Northern Defences alone, this model has already secured £4 million in private investment, protecting our heritage without burdening the taxpayer. The GSD continues to misrepresent these processes to stir political noise rather than offering any constructive alternative. 

Minister for Heritage, Prof. John Cortes, said: “As has sadly become typical of the GSD, Damon Bossino concentrates his efforts on negativity, clearly hoping that nothing improves so that he can criticise inaction. While he continues to daydream and hunt for headlines, this Government is getting on with the job of protecting and preserving Gibraltar’s Heritage for future generations.”