His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar is surprised by Mr Allan Asquez’s latest public statement, in which he calls on the Government to explain the origins of the £2 million figure he is said to be demanding. The Government has already done so, clearly and in full, through Press Releases No. 860/2024 and No. 5/2025.

The breakdown of Mr Asquez’s demands, which were submitted directly to the Government by him and his representatives, is a matter of record and was published in detail following his own challenge to the Government to disclose them. These are summarised as follows:

• A cash settlement totalling £1.755 million;
• A 149-year lease in the new stadium development;

As previously set out, Mr Asquez’s legal entitlement has been assessed at £115,440 under the Landlord and Tenant Act. There is also no obligation to offer an alternative premises under Gibraltar Law, although the Government did offer Mr Asquez alternative premises at the new stadium development.

The Government made a significantly enhanced goodwill offer to Mr Asquez, which included:

• ⁠A 21-year commercial lease for a new bar within the new development valued at £800,000 (It is uncommon for HMGoG to issue commercial leases for more than this period).
• Part of the metres squared of the kiosks at Victoria Stadium would be within the footprint of the new stadium bar, which Mr Asquez claimed he had a right to. HMGoG does not agree that Mr Asquez had any legal right to the kiosks within the stadium and therefore this was a gesture of pure goodwill.
• ⁠Willingness to verify and potentially settle costs relating to Dining 54, subject to evidence.

The Government, on behalf of the taxpayer, cannot responsibly accede to demands that exceed legal entitlement by a factor of over seventeen times, particularly in the absence of substantiating documentation.

It is surprising to be asked, once again, to explain a figure we have already broken down and published in black and white. HMGoG did so precisely to be transparent, and because Mr Asquez invited the Government to do so. The numbers are his own, as communicated to the Government.

The Government has a duty to protect the public purse, to act in accordance with the law and to deliver long-term infrastructure that benefits the whole community. This includes delivering vacant possession of the Victoria Stadium so that the GFA can build a new UEFA Category 4 stadium.

The Government has repeatedly attempted to reach an agreement with Mr Asquez but will not abandon its duty to taxpayers for claims that are unsupported and excessive in nature.

Note to Editors:

As set out in HMGoG PR 5/2025, the below is Mr Asquez’s request (VSB Limited)

VSB Limited has submitted a claim totalling £1,755,000, in addition to the new premises at the stadium development which would themselves have significant value, putting the total value of what Mr Asquez has claimed at well above £2m. The claim is broken down as follows:

• Murga Bar: A 149-year underlease at the new stadium development. Although this will have considerable value, no specific amount is assigned to it in this analysis of the value of the offer by Mr Asquez.
• Loss of Earnings: Compensation of £500,000 OR exclusive catering rights at the Europa Sports Facility.
• ⁠Dining 54: Settlement of outstanding invoices for works carried out in these premises (£255,000) and allegedly funded by Mr Asquez and legal fees (£50,000).
• ⁠Victoria Stadium Kiosks: Either alternative catering premises (in addition to the new premises) or a cash settlement of £950,000.