The GSD says that it notes the “stark refusal by the Government to come clean” on whether changes to the Nature Protection legislation will allow Spanish Fishermen to fish with nets in British Gibraltar Territorial Waters without them actually having to apply for a licence in Gibraltar (e.g. by virtue of their existing membership of one of the Algeciras or La Linea Cofradias).

The Leader of the Opposition, Daniel Feetham, said: “The Government is making a habit of refusing to come clean on issues of significant public interest.  It does not appear to understand that more meetings of Parliament do not provide greater transparency and accountability if they constantly refuse to be transparent and accountable on the important issues of our time. This New Dawn Government is rapidly turning into a False Dawn Administration preferring secrecy to openness on any issue that might have the propensity to embarrass them.  Unfortunately, they fail to understand that transparency and accountability on such issues is one of the cornerstones of democracy”.