The Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party (GSLP) has welcomed the publication of the McGrail Inquiry Report, which it says “serves as a comprehensive vindication of our Party Leader and Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo KC on key issues – whilst accepting some criticisms of him which fall way short of the fabricated allegations made by Ian McGrail and his lawyers.”

A statement continued: “For five years, our Leader and the Socialist / Liberal Government and Gibraltar generally have been subjected to constant, unfounded accusations of corruption and conspiracy. The Report has now definitively "put to bed" these lies.

“The allegations of a corrupt conspiracy to remove Mr. McGrail are roundly rejected.  The Report makes clear that there was, actually, no political interference in the RGP’s investigations. 

“The Inquiry finds that McGrail’s departure was a result solely of him deciding to retire because the Acting Governor’s independent loss of confidence was going to lead to him using his powers to ask him to go.  It also finds that, in doing so, the Governor had kept the FCDO informed, took advice from their legal advisers and was not manipulated by Mr. Picardo.

“The GSLP also notes that this Inquiry represents the most detailed exercise in transparency and accountability in Gibraltar’s history coming in at a cost of over £8m and all for Mr McGrail to FAIL to have any apology or compensation ordered in his favour, as he had sought. That money should have been better spent on health, housing or education for our people instead of on Mr McGrail’s insistence on an apology which he has NOT got, because Sir Peter Openshaw has NOT recommended it. 

“Our leader subjected himself to unprecedented scrutiny, ensuring that every fact was laid bare.

“This is in stark contrast to the RGP who are criticised for their failures of disclosure and who are found not to have made ‘comprehensive disclosure’ as Mr Picardo did. By providing full disclosure, the party considers that Mr Picardo’s conduct throughout this process has demonstrated his commitment to the truth, warts and all.

“The Inquiry has also confirmed that Mr. Picardo “genuinely believed" he had been lied to by the former Commissioner. While the Chairman noted that the Chief Minister "overreached" in his reaction to this genuine belief, Mr. Picardo has accepted this finding with characteristic humility and is considering a possible challenge to other parts of the ruling which he is told are unfair or contradictory.

“We support him in that approach. 

“We also look forward to the debate to note the Report, which will be tabled in the Parliament, which the Chief Minster has already given notice of himself.

“In the end, the Report confirms that Mr. McGrail retired early, not because of improper politics, but because his own failures regarding the fatal collision at sea and the "shockingly bad" leadership identified in the HMIC Report which were going to lead the Governor to tell him to go.

“Moving forward, the false cloud of suspicion has been dispelled. The GSLP now looks forward to supporting Fabian Picardo as he directs all his energy where it belongs: finalising the UK-EU Treaty, delivering housing for our people and delivering for the People of Gibraltar.

“We call on all in Gibraltar to do so.”