The Gibraltar Police Federation has reacted to the Coroner’s Inquest verdict:

“Any loss of life is always a tragedy and our sympathy goes out to the families of the deceased, as they are often the ones left dealing with the consequences of choices taken by others.

“There have been no winners in this case. When an officer pulls on their uniform their intention is, and has always been to try to prevent finding themselves in a situation where there is loss of life.

“In fact the absolute opposite is true and all officers do everything in their power to protect life at all cost.

“The inquest has highlighted the risk taken by law enforcement officers in their daily battle against criminality.

“The police officers involved are humans, and will ultimately have to live the rest of their lives knowing that the circumstance they found themselves in that night in 2020, resulted in the loss of life of two individuals.

“That is something that they, and their families have had to learn to live with, and that is a burden none of us would want to carry.

“Policing is a high risk career and those willing to step forward and volunteer their services to their community need to be given all the equipment and support they require to do the job as safely as is possible.

“The GPF would like to acknowledge the professional support the officers involved have received from our legal team, who have worked diligently and concisely in presenting all the facts to the coroner and the jury.

“Also to the Coroner and members of the jury, who absorbed a significant amount of information during the 3 weeks of the inquest, and have made well thought out recommendations based on that information.

“To HMGoG for their support in the ongoing fight against crime and also to all police officers, who put themselves in harm’s way every day, so we can all enjoy a safe and peaceful life.”