In October 2025, His Excellency the Governor, Sir Ben Bathurst KCVO CBE, and the Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo KC MP, established a Steering Group to consider reforms to the governance of the Royal Gibraltar Police. The Steering Group met for the second time on 15 January 2026 to consider specific recommendations of the McGrail Inquiry Report, many of which relate to police governance.

The Steering Group comprises elected and appointed officials with constitutional responsibility for policing law, policy and operations, without whom the Inquiry’s recommendations could not be implemented. The Group intends to consult widely on all relevant views concerning the governance of the RGP.

It was agreed that, in the short term until summer 2026, priority will be given to implementing the Chair of the McGrail Inquiry’s recommendations on RGP governance and operations, together with associated legislation. Responsibility for implementation has been allocated to the Chair of the Gibraltar Police Authority, the Commissioner of the RGP and HM Government of Gibraltar.

Progress is already well advanced, with several recommendations having been implemented by HMGoG and the RGP, including recommendations 3, 4, 19, 20 and 22. A sub-committee of the Working Group will be formed to support implementation of the remaining recommendations.

The Steering Group also received briefings from Christian Rocca KC, Director of Public Prosecutions, and Michael Podesta, who attended in an advisory capacity. It was agreed that further subject matter experts would brief future meetings as required. The Group also agreed to invite His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services to brief the Steering Group and to undertake an interim visit to the RGP and the Gibraltar Defence Police.

Longer-term reform options will continue to be explored in parallel. Samantha Sacramento updated the meeting on her consultations and attendance at the UK Conference of Police and Crime Commissioners, ahead of anticipated UK reforms to police governance. Wider reform is likely to require cross-party support and would therefore follow the next General Election.

The Governor said:
“As I have constitutional responsibility for internal security, including the Police, I am co-chairing the Steering Group with the Chief Minister. Alongside the Chair of the Gibraltar Police Authority and the Commissioner of the RGP, and with expert advice, we are committed to implementing the McGrail Inquiry recommendations by summer 2026. We are consulting widely and have invited His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary to visit shortly.”

The Chief Minister said:
“As Chief Minister, I am committed to the safety and security of Gibraltar. I am fully committed to implementing the 29 recommendations put forward by Sir Peter Openshaw. While policy and operational policing sit outside my constitutional remit, the Steering Group allows all aspects to be considered holistically.”

The Chair of the Gibraltar Police Authority, Peter Montegriffo KC, said:
“A number of the Inquiry recommendations relate directly to the Police Authority. We will consider how these are implemented by summer 2026, while ensuring that any longer-term governance model reflects Gibraltar’s local context and maintains effective oversight and accountability.”

The Commissioner of the Royal Gibraltar Police, Owain Richards, said:
“I updated the Steering Group on progress already made on the operational recommendations of the Inquiry and the work underway on cross-cutting issues. I welcome the invitation to His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary to visit the RGP and engage with the Steering Group.”