Jun 19 - GSD Says Mena Appointment Points To Lack Of Transparency

The GSD has responded to the Government's position on the circumstances surrounding the appointment of Albert Mena to the post of Financial Secretary.

It is simply not true that either GSD or GSD spokesperson, Robert Vasquez, has levelled "pernicious innuendos ... to tarnish [Mr Mena's] unblemished reputation for honesty, integrity and hard work". The professional reputation of Mr Mena is not and has never been in doubt. It is the manner and precise terms of his appointment that the GSD have questioned. We have no hesitation in accepting that "his calibre as a professional is unimpeachable" and we would add as a person.

It does not matter how highly qualified an individual may be, Mr Mena, a partner in the largest law firm in Gibraltar, has been directly appointed to one of the most senior posts in the Civil Service and the Opposition is entitled to ask the Government to explain why the post was not advertised and what are the precise terms of his engagement with the Government bearing in mind that he is on secondment from his law firm, something which, as far as we are aware, is unprecedented for such a senior post.

The issue is one about openness and transparency not the quality of Mr Mena as a professional or a person. This is the problem with this Government, it simply refuses to be open and transparent with people and when the Opposition, in the discharge of its duties, seeks to ask the Government questions, which the Government finds inconvenient, we are accused of pernicious innuendo.

As to the suggestion by the Chief Minister that his discussions with Mr Bossino, the Deputy Leader of the GSD amounted to an appropriate and proportionate response to his letter, Mr Bossino said: "The fact is that my letter raised very specific questions including details of the three year secondment entered into with Hassans together with other details and I do not recall these points being addressed verbally by the Chief Minister and indeed neither are they all addressed in this recent statement by the Government. My expectation always was that these points would be addressed in a detailed reply in writing." 

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