Jan 09 – GSD Says Picardo Has “Double Standards On Bullying”
The GSD Opposition has today contrasted what it sees as the “promptness and personal interest” the Chief Minister has shown in the allegations of bullying made against the RGP with the “lethargic way” in which the allegations of bullying made nearly a year ago against Joanna Hernandez by 35 trainees has been dealt with.
The GSD reminds the public that Ms. Hernandez was represented by both Mr Picardo and Mr Bossano in her industrial tribunal case, is a supporter of the GSLP and was “used by the GSLP to incessantly criticize the GSD Government over the Dr Giraldi Home.”
The GSD argues that it is remarkable that six months after the allegations were made against Ms. Hernandez, she is still claiming that no details of the allegations had yet been provided to her.
The Opposition claims that when it pressed the Chief Minister, he claimed this was a matter entirely for the Civil Service and not for politicians, and he also refused to undertake to publish any report on the findings of the investigation into the allegations of bullying, or at least provide the Opposition with a copy. To this day, says the party, it is none the wiser as to the progress of an investigation that it considers to be the “first real test” of the Government’s anti-bullying policy and legislation, which it introduced “with great fanfare” last year.
In relation to the allegations of bullying against the RGP, the GSD says that Mr Picardo “appears to be very keen to intervene personally” and ensure the allegations are investigated thoroughly and promptly.
That is precisely what he should have done in relation to the allegations of bullying made by the 35 trainees, argues the GSD.
The GSD says that it demands nothing less than natural justice for both the trainees and Ms Hernandez.
