The GSD has read with concern the latest piece of investigative journalism undertaken by GBC into the Chief Minister’s professional links with Mr Dan Gertler, who is subject to US Sanctions, in connection with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Chief Minister was a director of Rozaro Development Limited, a company linked to Mr Gertler and currently on the US Office of Foreign Assets Control list, and accepted he did professional work for Mr Gertler.

Also on the Board of Rozaro Development Limited was the Hon Neil Costa currently Gibraltar’s Minister for Justice who has remained silent on the matter.

The US Global Magnitsky Executive Order issued on 20 December 2017 against Mr Dan Gertler is for serious human rights abuse or corruption. Serious questions arise. Indeed Mr Gertler is also reportedly being investigated by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office.

Following on so soon from the Assad/Europort transaction – which involves another individual who is facing serious international allegations – and the involvement of the Isola family trusts in that purchase the public must be questioning the socialist credentials of some of the Ministers.

The GSD demands that the Chief Minister makes a personal statement to Parliament in respect of the extent of his involvement with Mr Dan Gertler and whether the Chief Minister ever visited the DR Congo in a professional capacity.