The Government has said that the latest statement by the Opposition regarding criticism of Mr Feetham on Facebook is a “feeble attempt to turn the tables after he has put his foot his foot in it.”

The statement continues: “The plain fact is that the Opposition's criticism of the Chief Minister's speech at the United Nations has been a monumental error of judgement. The timing of the criticism as well as its content have gone down very badly across a wide cross-section of Gibraltarians from different political parties. Members of the GSD have written on social media saying they are leaving the party as a result of Mr Feetham's leadership and in particular his handling of this matter. The Opposition are simply trying to divert attention away from their mistake.

“The Opposition are free to criticise whatever they like in a democratic society, but they must live with the consequences of their actions when they mess it up.

“The Government neither approves nor encourages that people should go over the top in their criticism of Mr Feetham or of anybody else. However, it is slightly hypocritical for the Opposition to call on the Government to condemn criticism of Mr Feetham, when he has not even had the decency to formally condemn the poisonous attacks against Gibraltar in general and Mr Picardo in particular, including the constant death threats and abuse against him, that have been ongoing in Spain for over two months.”