The following statement on behalf of Mr Ian McGrail has been issued to the press this afternoon:

“In June 2020, Mr Ian McGrail ended his distinguished service as Commissioner of the Royal Gibraltar Police, following a career defined by loyalty to the people of Gibraltar and to the Oath he swore to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, to uphold the law without fear or favour.

“It was Mr McGrail himself who, following certain comments made under the protection of parliamentary privilege by the Chief Minister, demanded that a Public Inquiry be convened into the circumstances of his departure. Throughout, his only wish has been that the truth be laid bare before the people of Gibraltar.

“Over the past five and a half years, Mr McGrail has endured a sustained campaign of disparagement and reputational injury, orchestrated and encouraged by the Chief Minister, his newspaper, and his associates. Individuals appear to have been rewarded with large sums of public money for making scurrilous allegations against him; we understand that these rewards continue. The Principal Auditor has expressed deep concern about them.  Despite this unrelenting ordeal, Mr McGrail remained steadfast in his dedication to justice, his faith in Gibraltar’s constitutional institutions and unerring loyalty to its citizens.

“Today, as Sir Peter Openshaw’s Report of the “McGrail Inquiry” is delivered to the Government, Mr McGrail expresses his profound gratitude to his family, his friends, and to all who have supported him through these difficult years including his legal Counsel (Charles Gomez & Co. and Adam Wagner KC).  He extends sincere thanks to the Chairman and the Inquiry team for the diligence and care with which they have discharged their solemn responsibilities and to the independent media for their excellent coverage of the public hearings.

“Mr McGrail looks forward to reading the Report in full.  He will accept with humility any fair criticism that may be levelled against him. 

“When the Inquiry was launched in 2022, the Government has made a clear and unambiguous promise, still published on the Government’s website, that “the full report will be published by the Government, subject only to such redactions as Sir Peter Openshaw may himself consider appropriate”.^[1]

“The Government must now honour that promise made to the people of Gibraltar. Mr McGrail therefore calls upon the Chief Minister to confirm that the Report will be published in its entirety and without delay or prevarication, save only for any redactions recommended by Sir Peter Openshaw.”

[1] https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/press-releases/government-issues-commission-for-mcgrail-inquiry-842022-7658