Meeting with Opposition being ‘fixed’, Govt says

A meeting between Opposition MPs, the Chief Minister and professional advisors to discuss the £300 million loan secured on the back of six public housing estates is being fixed, the Government insisted yesterday.

This comes after GSD MP Roy Clinton highlighted the fact that the meeting had yet to take place.

Responding to Mr Clinton’s comments yesterday, the Government accused him of being “disrespectful of Parliament and of Parliamentary procedures.”

“Mr Clinton has set down questions in respect of this matter which are due to be answered on Thursday and it is striking to see that he has nonetheless issued a statement ahead of those answers,” the Government said in a statement.

It added that the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, is waiting for a date on which all the professional advisers are available and this is what has delayed the meeting.

Mr Picardo said: “I am very much looking forward to this meeting in which we will demonstrate to the members of the Opposition who attend that this is an excellent investment in Gibraltar and a huge expression of confidence in our public finances and our economy.”

“I therefore have no reason to delay the meeting. I do, nonetheless, want to try to ensure that all relevant advisers are present.”

“I am surprised, however, at Roy having flouted Parliamentary protocol in this way. I will put it down to his lack of experience.”