UK must act on Gibraltar Chief Minister's police interference

Transparency International UK have responded to the report by the Commission of Inquiry into the retirement of former Royal Gibraltar Police Commissioner, Ian McGrail.[1] 

The Commission into the retirement of McGrail, which published its findings on 23 December found that Chief Minister Fabian Picardo attempted ‘grossly improper’ interference in police investigation in which close associate James Levy was a suspect. 

Commenting on the report, Daniel Bruce, Chief Executive, Transparency International UK said:  
 
“The Chief Minister's interference in a police investigation is a serious breach of Gibraltar's Ministerial Code. If a UK minister improperly interfered in such an investigation—especially involving national security—it would be a resignation matter. 

“This report exposes grave governance failures directly relevant to UK defence interests in Gibraltar. Though the inquiry makes several important recommendations, it is hard to see how these can be implemented effectively by those implicated in serious wrongdoing. 

The UK Government has a constitutional responsibility to uphold good governance in British Overseas Territories. Now, a month after these damning findings were published, accountability remains unclear. UK Foreign Office Ministers must now ensure all findings are accepted and monitor the implementation of the recommendations. 

Notes to editors 

[1] Inquiry into the retirement of the former Commissioner of Police, reported by Sir Peter Openshaw, DL on 6 November 2025 and published by the Government of Gibraltar on 23 December 2025 https://coircomp.gi/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-11-06-Final-Report-of-Sir-Peter-Openshaw.pdf