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

The Steering Group necessarily consists of those elected and appointed officials who are responsible under the Constitution for the law and policy related to the Police, along with Police operations, without whom the McGrail Inquiry Report recommendations could not be implemented. However, the Steering Group intends to consult widely on all relevant opinions on the governance of the RGP.

The Steering Group concluded that in the short term (until summer 2026), its priority will be the implementation of the Chair of the McGrail Inquiry’s recommendations on the governance of the RGP and on RGP operations, along with associated laws. Responsibility for the implementation of each of the relevant recommendations has been assigned to relevant stakeholders, namely the Chair of the Gibraltar Police Authority (GPA), the Commissioner of the RGP, and His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar (HMGoG).

Efforts to implement the recommendations are already underway in earnest, with several already having been successfully implemented by HMGoG and the RGP (notably recommendations 3, 4, 19, 20 and 22). It was agreed to form a sub-committee of the Working Group to assist in the process of implementing the remaining recommendations.

The Steering Group also heard from Mr Christian Rocca KC, Director of Public Prosecutions, and Mr Michael Podesta, Crown Counsel, who attended in an advisory capacity as subject matter experts. It was agreed that future meetings would be briefed by other experts as required. It was also agreed to invite His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services to brief the Steering Group, as well as to conduct an interim visit to both the RGP and Gibraltar Defence Police (GDP).

The Steering Group remains committed to exploring other models for longer-term reform of the governance of the RGP, which will continue concurrently with work underway on the Inquiry recommendations. Ms Samantha Sacramento, a former Minister for Justice, updated the meeting on her consultations and her attendance at the UK’s Conference of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) on the UK’s forthcoming intent to reform the governance of the police. Wider reform will require cross-party support and therefore is likely to be implemented after the next General Election.

His Excellency 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 who is responsible for resourcing the Royal Gibraltar Police. Along with the Chair of the Gibraltar Police Authority and the Commissioner of the RGP, with advice from others, including the Attorney General, we are committed to implementing the McGrail Inquiry recommendations by summer 2026. We are consulting widely with relevant subject matter experts. We also invited His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary to visit shortly’.

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP said: ‘As Chief Minister, I am committed to the safety and security of Gibraltar. As I said in my New Year’s message, I am completely committed to implementing the 29 recommendations put forward by Sir Peter Openshaw, the majority of which related to the governance and operations of the Royal Gibraltar Police. Whilst responsibility for policy and operational police delivery lie outside my Constitutional remit, the collective working of the Steering Group is the body which enables us to consider all aspects holistically’.

Chair of the Police Authority, Mr Peter Montegriffo KC said: ‘There are multiple recommendations from the McGrail Inquiry Report that relate to the Gibraltar Police Authority. I am chairing a meeting of the GPA this month to take the views of members on how we will implement these by summer 2026. I was also interested to hear of the changes that the UK is looking into for governance of the police, though in the longer term we must adopt a system that works for Gibraltar, reflecting our local context without compromising effective oversight and accountability’

Commissioner of the Royal Gibraltar Police, Mr Owain Richards said: ‘As the operational lead for the RGP, I advised the Steering Group on the progress that has already been made to date on the recommendations of the McGrail Inquiry Report that relate to the operational aspects of policing, as well as the work that is currently underway on cross cutting issues. I welcome the decision to invite His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary to visit the RGP and talk to the Steering Group’.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The Steering Group on reform of the governance of the Royal Gibraltar Police was established in October 2025 by His Excellency the Governor, Sir Ben Bathurst KCVO CBE, and the Chief Minister, the Hon. Fabian Picardo KC MP. Its primary purpose is to provide top-level strategic oversight for reform of the governance of the RGP, bringing together all those with constitutional responsibility for, and a stake in, police governance.

The Steering Group provides a forum to analyse and discuss options for reform and to better align accountability, responsibility and resourcing. Ms Samantha Sacramento has been asked to lead a Working Group to analyse the existing Police Authority model, examine alternative governance models, and make proposals to the Steering Group. The Steering Group will then determine priorities and timeframes for reform.

Civilian policing in Gibraltar is governed by the Police Act 2006, introduced alongside the 2006 Constitution. The governance arrangements adopted at that time reflected UK practice, including the Police Authority model. The UK subsequently replaced Police Authorities with elected Police and Crime Commissioners, although exceptions remain, including the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Police. The UK is now embarking on a further round of police governance reform, with a White Paper expected shortly and Police and Crime Commissioners due to be abolished at the end of incumbents’ terms in 2028.

While UK developments may be relevant, Gibraltar’s approach will be considered holistically, taking account of local context. The Steering Group will consider whether to retain, adapt or replace the current Police Authority model, drawing on experience from the UK and elsewhere. As demands on policing grow more complex, the Steering Group recognises the need to strengthen the alignment of accountability, responsibility and resourcing to ensure Gibraltar remains safe and secure.

It is important to understand the distinction between police policy and police operations. In R v Metropolitan Police Commissioner, ex parte Blackburn [1968] QB 241, Lord Denning articulated the principle of police operational independence:

“Like every constable in the land, [the ommissioner of the Metropolitan Police] should be, and is, independent of the executive… The responsibility for law enforcement lies on him. He is answerable to the law and the law alone.”

Lord Denning further clarified that while Ministers and police authorities may set general policy and priorities, this must not extend to directing operational decisions in individual cases. This distinction between policy oversight and operational independence remains central to democratic policing.

The UK governance framework reflects this separation through political oversight combined with operational independence, supported by independent scrutiny bodies such as His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. These principles inform the work of the Steering Group in Gibraltar.

Footnote: Composition of the Steering Group

Members of the Steering Group were selected on the basis of their constitutional responsibilities under the Gibraltar Constitution Order 2006 and the Police Act 2006.

The Governor (His Excellency Sir Ben Bathurst KCVO CBE):

• Responsible for internal security, including the Police.
• Appoints the Commissioner of Police on the advice of the Gibraltar Police Authority.
• Holds overall responsibility for the integrity, probity and independence of policing.

The Chief Minister (The Hon. Fabian Picardo KC MP):

• Responsible for securing and seeking appropriation of funds for policing.
• Holds the Force to account for cost-effectiveness and efficiency within its budget.
• May request factual or assessment reports on policing matters.

Chair of the Gibraltar Police Authority (Mr Peter Montegriffo KC):

• Responsible for maintaining an effective RGP and safeguarding integrity and independence.
• Holds the Commissioner to account for Authority responsibilities.
• Oversees the Police Complaints Board.

Minister for Justice (The Hon. Nigel Feetham KC MP):

• Portfolio responsibility only, with no statutory powers in relation to policing.

Attorney General (Mr Michael Llamas CMG KC):

• Chief legal adviser to His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar.
• Oversees prosecutions and holds exclusive authority over criminal proceedings.

Commissioner of Police (Mr Owain Richards MSt):

• Exercises command, direction and control of the RGP.
• Responsible for operational policing and internal governance of the Force.

Chair of the Working Group (Ms Samantha Sacramento):

• Leads consultations and coordinates reform work.

Working Group Membership:

• Chair (Consultant)
• Deputy Governor
• Chief Secretary
• Financial Secretary
• Attorney General’s representative
• GPA reform member: Krystle Robba
• RGP Assistant Commissioner: Mark Wyan
• Secretary