Jun 29 - Chief Minister Awarded Damages Against Manos Limpias
The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, has been awarded damages of £30,000 against the Spanish right wing union "Manos Limpias" and its leader, Sñr Miguel Bernard Remon.
Mr Picardo took action against the group when it libelled the Chief Minister, describing him in terms which were scandalous and untrue.
The Supreme Court of Gibraltar had been dealing with the matter and Manos Limpias had been properly served in Spain with legal proceedings which they did not contest. Judgement in default was therefore entered by the Chief Justice last July.
The Chief Justice has also ordered that Manos Limpias and Sñr Remon should pay the Chief Minister's legal costs. Mr Picardo has also been granted an interim costs award of £35,000.
The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, said: "It is very gratifying to see this matter now draw to a conclusion in Gibraltar. We will now start the process of enforcement in Spain. It is unacceptable that a right wing Spanish group like Manos Limpias can think they can defame Gibraltar or any Gibraltarian with such impunity. This helps to show them they cannot. My legal team of Lewis Baglietto QC, Julian Santos and Moshe Levy, has done a great job in delivering this excellent result. I will of course donate all monies recovered to a Gibraltar charity."
{fcomment}
