Oct 07 - GSD: Sad Day For Democracy As Juan Verde Consultancy Reported In Spanish Media
The GSD has said that it is a sad day for democracy when the Opposition has to obtain answers to questions it asked in Parliament through the Spanish press. It will be recalled, they say, that the Opposition has repeatedly asked the Government to confirm what, if any, consultancy arrangements it had, directly or indirectly, with Juan Verde.
The Government, according to the GSD, refused to answer the question on grounds of national interest. According to the GSD, however, it now transpires that Mr Verde does play a “significant role” through a consultancy arrangement of some sort with the Government of Gibraltar. This has, they say, recently been reported by the Spanish media, including a recent article that states that Mr Verde allegedly sent an email to his contacts in Washington stating that one of the most important clients of his firm was the Government of Gibraltar and requesting a meeting with Fabian Picardo, on Wednesday in the National Press Club.
A spokesman for the GSD said: "This seems to be a secret only in Gibraltar. Given that Mr Verde himself has now spoken openly about his relationship with the Government of Gibraltar, we expect the Chief Minister will now give a full account of what arrangements are in place, what it is costing the Gibraltar taxpayer and whether Mr Verde has any links with any company tendering for contracts in Gibraltar including the power station. It is time for Mr Picardo to stop treating the people of Gibraltar with such contempt."
