HM Government of Gibraltar notes the recent statement from the GSD Opposition regarding the findings of the Openshaw Report in relation to the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP).

The Government considers the GSD’s attempt to characterize the Report’s criticisms as "scapegoating" to be a transparent effort to ignore the objective, independent findings of a retired UK High Court Judge which the GSD are so keen on when they relate to the Chief Minister.

Unprecedented Investment and Support for the Force

Far from "talking down" the police, the GSLP-Liberal Government’s record of support for the RGP is unmatched in Gibraltar’s history.

Record Funding: Since taking office in 2011, the Government has tripled the funding allocated to the RGP from £5m to £15m.

This investment has provided the resources, technology, and manpower necessary for modern policing—a stark contrast to the chronic under-resourcing seen under previous administrations.

Statutory Recognition: This Government has also provided statutory recognition to the Gibraltar Police Federation, ensuring that officers have the right to professional representation and a voice, bringing Gibraltar in line with UK best practices—a right that was denied to them for decades.

Funding for Officers: The Government’s commitment to its officers is evidenced by its decision to fully fund the legal representation and defence of RGP officers who were the subject of the Coroner’s Inquest into the 2020 collision at sea. We support our officers when they are in the line of duty, both financially and institutionally.

Distinguishing the Force from Former Management

The Government makes no apology for highlighting the criticisms contained in the Openshaw Report regarding the former Senior Management Team (SMT) of the RGP.

The Report is categorical in its criticism of the former SMT for a number of reasons, not least for remarkably failing to comply with its disclosure obligations, noting that the Inquiry proceeded without the "comprehensive disclosure" the RGP had claimed to provide.

To point out these specific, evidence-based failings is not "throwing the RGP under a bus"; it is a necessary part of the accountability required to ensure such failures never happen again.

Full Confidence in Current Leadership

HM Government of Gibraltar places on record its full and absolute confidence in the current leadership of the Royal Gibraltar Police.

Under the new Command Team, led by Commissioner Owain Richards, the RGP has shown a constructive and professional approach to the Inquiry’s findings.

The Government is committed to working alongside the Commissioner and the Gibraltar Police Authority to ensure the RGP remains a robust, independent, and well-resourced institution.

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC, stated:

“The GSD’s narrative is a desperate attempt to ignore the fact that the Openshaw Report roundly rejected the ‘corrupt conspiracy’ theories which they were so keen to highlight. We are not attacking the RGP or its officers; we are addressing the proven failures of a previous management team whose actions—including the failure to disclose critical evidence—were criticized by the Chairman.

My Government has tripled police funding and given officers a statutory Federation to protect their rights.

We have already funded the legal defence of individual officers in the most difficult circumstances.

We will not be lectured by an Opposition that failed to provide these basic protections when they were in power.

We are moving forward with the implementation of these recommendations to strengthen our police force, while the GSD remains stuck in what happened six years ago.

We are also working on the UK/EU Treaty, whilst Mr Azopardi seems to have his nose buried in the Inquiry Report.”

ENDS