UK Armed Forces Minister declares ‘very long term commitment to Gibraltar base’

Yesterday, 12th December 2013 - by Dominique Searle

 No further MoD cuts for the foreseeable future, a defence of sovereignty and a very, very long and continued presence in Gibraltar were the key ingredients in the message UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces, Mark Francois, brought to the Rock yesterday.
“We have a history of defending our sovereignty and I don’t believe that that is a history that we should forget, nor, indeed, should anybody else,” he told the Chronicle.
The minister met with Chief Minister Fabian Picardo and his deputy Dr Joseph Garcia yesterday morning at No 6, but only after taking a tour of the Bay of Gibraltar and British Gibraltar waters with the Royal Navy’s Gibraltar Squadron.

Court hears how Marrache money ‘went on elaborate life style’

Yesterday, 12th December 2013 - by Peter Schirmer

 The Marrache brothers ‘always needed money’ to fund their family’s elaborate lifestyle, former employee Leanne Turnbull alleged in a statement to police under caution.

Giraldi Inquiry chairman embarks on ‘onerous task’ of final report

Yesterday, 12th December 2013 - by Brian Reyes

 Anyone singled out for adverse criticism in the final report of the Giraldi Home Inquiry will be given a chance to respond before the document is made public.
The commitment was made by inquiry chairman Sir Jonathan Parker yesterday as he brought to a close a series of hearings into allegations of “mismanagement, misconduct and malpractice, including abuse” at the Dr Giraldi Home. The allegations spanned many years and dated back as far as 2002.

Border tension stalls art exhibition

Yesterday, 12th December 2013 - by Alice Mascarenhas

 A joint exhibition between Gibraltar and La Linea featuring the work of local artist Gustavo Bacarisas and La Linea artist José Cruz Herrera has been put on hold because of the ongoing situation at the border.

Care Agency focuses heavily on training

Yesterday, 12th December 2013

 The Care Agency has organised a two day leadership course for management.
The course seeks to enhance management skills by focusing on areas ranging from communication skills to appraisals and ways of building teamwork

La Linea fisherman boss resigns over Gibraltar row

Yesterday, 12th December 2013

 The head of the La Linea fisherman’s guild, Leoncio Fernandez, has resigned after falling out with other board members over his involvement in the recent protest in Algeciras targeting Chief Minister Fabian Picardo’s speech to law students.

RGP teaches cycling safety to 54 local youngsters

Yesterday, 12th December 2013

 The Royal Gibraltar Police School Liaison Officers have completed a series of cycling proficiency courses at local schools.

Workers unite over ‘inhumane’ border queues

Wednesday, 11th December 2013 - by Brian Reyes

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the border yesterday to express their anger and frustration at lengthy queues caused by Spanish customs checks.
There were people from Gibraltar and La Linea and their message was one of unity in the face of controls that on Monday caused four-hour tailbacks for cars and two hour waits for pedestrians.
“We have to be united,” Anne Marie Struggles told those gathered there. “Let’s not fall into the trap of hatred.”
 

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the border yesterday to express their anger and frustration at lengthy queues caused by Spanish customs checks.
There were people from Gibraltar and La Linea and their message was one of unity in the face of controls that on Monday caused four-hour tailbacks for cars and two hour waits for pedestrians.
“What’s happening at this border is inhumane,” said Gibraltarian campaigner Juan Pecino, one of the organisers of the protest.

Gibtelecom staff savings thief jailed

Wednesday, 11th December 2013 - by Dominique Searle

 A local woman who pleaded guilty to theft and false accounting totalling £694,425 from the staff fund of the company she worked at for 35 years has been sent to prison.
Puisne Judge Barrington Black sentenced Hortencia Chipolina, 53, to six years for the offences but this was rapidly drawn down to 2 years and eight months once her prompt guilty plea and the sale of her house to compensate the victims were taken into account.

Margallo voices doubt on Spain’s legal position on Gibraltar waters

Wednesday, 11th December 2013

 Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel García-Margallo has expressed confidence that Spain would win a legal case over jurisdiction of Gibraltar’s isthmus, though he was less certain about success in any challenge over the waters.

Britain’s Armed Forces Minister in whistle-stop Rock visit

Wednesday, 11th December 2013

 Britain’s Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Mark Francois, arrived in Gibraltar yesterday on his first visit here since taking on the post last October.