The Government says it notes the latest statement issued by the GSD in response to the Chief Minister’s May Day message.

A statement continued: "The Government considers that the GSD’s response demonstrates, once again, that Mr Azopardi has no positive programme to offer working people in Gibraltar.

"The Chief Minister’s May Day message was about workers, dignity at work, fair pay, trade unionism, opportunity, artificial intelligence and the future of work. It was a message about the values that have shaped the GSLP since its foundation and the values that continue to guide this Government.

"The GSD has chosen to respond with the same tired personal attacks, the same reheated allegations and the same negative politics that have become its only offer to Gibraltar."

The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, said: “When the man who asked for over £400,000 to work for me in Government writes a May Day piece which says nothing about workers’ rights, working conditions, fair pay, trade unionism or the future of work, people can see the truth for themselves. Mr Azopardi is not in politics because he cares about working people. He is in politics to fulfil his own personal ambition.

“The GSD can try to wrap itself in the language of working people, but the people of Gibraltar know the truth. This is the party of Clinton’s Cut and Azopardi’s Austerity. It is the party that talks about working people when it suits its election strategy, but whose instincts are always to cut, to reduce and to take away. That is not social justice. That is the same old GSD.

“May Day is about workers. For the GSLP, it always has been. The GSLP/Liberal Government will continue to stand with working people, with trade unions, with families, with students, with pensioners and with all those who want a Gibraltar that is fair and socially just. That is not fearmongering. That is who we are.”