Aug 13 - Chief Minister Welcomes Gingell’s Clarification
The Chief Minister says he welcomes Gareth Gingell’s clarification of a Facebook post which contained allegedly defamatory statements.
Earlier today, Mr Gingell posted a statement on his website (http://www.garethgingell.com/picardo-vs-gingell-case/) in which he said that, although he would not be removing the post or apologising, he would be issuing a clarification that no allegation of corruption or wrongdoing had been intended.
“You may recall that the Chief Minister’s position was for me to remove my original post, as well as apologise publicly. Neither shall be happening – I made a political comment and exercised my freedom of speech – the Chief Minister says that third parties have understood my comment to be an allegation of criminal conduct or corruption, something I don’t believe I expressed and certainly never intended to express,” he said.
The Chief Minister, in response to a question from YGTV, said that he was confident that he would have succeeded if the matter had proceeded to court. However, he added that, based on Mr Gingell’s behaviour since the original post, he formed the view that Mr Gingell “was unable to deal with the matter in a sensible manner and was instead using the litigation as a platform for raising his profile with the assistance and encouragement of his political allies at the GSD.”
Mr Picardo said that with the offending statement now being clarified satisfactorily so that Mr Gingell has in effect “abandoned the sting of his allegations completely” and his reputation being entirely vindicated, he decided to settle the matter swiftly and bring an end to the dispute.
The Chief Minister said that he is in favour of vigorous debate and understands that, like any individual in the public light, he will be the subject of criticism. However, Mr Picardo added that any suggestion the he is involved in criminal wrongdoing or corruption “oversteps the mark” and needs to be addressed in the interests of the reputation of the quality of Gibraltar's democracy and its politicians, let alone his own personal reputation.
{fcomment}
