Apr 30 - GSD Disappointed by Ochello Comments on May Day Viewpoint Interview
Regarding Unite the Union Leader, Victor Ochello’s recent interview on GBC’s Viewpoint, regarding the withdrawal of Daniel Feetham’s invitation to speak at the May Day Rally, the Opposition has noted that they are disappointed by Mr. Ochello’s comments.
The GSD insists that Mr. Ochello gave a number of contradictory reasons for the issue, during the interview, including fact that the right procedure had not been followed and because the GSD had not declared its support for May Day.
The Party claims that the invitation was issued ‘knowing what the GSD record in office had been in relation to workers, a record that is also second to none and which Mr Ochello himself used to staunchly defend when the GSD was in Government.
Therefore, to suggest that the invitation was issued without regard to proper procedure (whatever that may mean) or because of our record in office is totally absurd.’
Mr. Feetham insists that he did reiterate the GSD’s position on May 1st when he met with Mr. Ochello on 24th April. Therefore, it is unfair for Mr. Ochello to claim that he is unsure of the party’s policy on the matter. The party claims that this is simply a smokescreen to deflect attention from the underlying facts.
A statement continues, ‘further, it is the height of hypocrisy for Mr Ochello to accuse the Leader of the Opposition of having acted unethically. Mr Feetham made it absolutely clear to Mr Ochello when they spoke that if the invitation was withdrawn, he was duty bound to tell the people of Gibraltar exactly why it had been withdrawn. What is unethical, on the other hand, is for Mr Ochello to say to Mr Feetham that Mr Picardo had gone 'ballistic' about the invitation, that he was coming under pressure to withdraw it, and then cave in to that pressure and say something completely different to the people of Gibraltar when this deplorable behaviour is made public by the Leader of the Opposition (as was his duty to do).
The Opposition's interest in this matter is solely to ensure that no one is put under unfair pressure by the Government simply because Mr Picardo does not want Mr Feetham to speak on the same platform as himself, and that we do not live in a climate of intimidation where there is any fear of offending Mr Picardo or anyone else.’
