The Inquiry into the Retirement of the Former Commissioner of Police has been reconvened in Gibraltar to consider fresh evidence disclosed since the Inquiry hearing closed in June 2024.
Four witnesses will give evidence over three days about the contents of previously undisclosed WhatsApp messages: former Commissioner Ian McGrail, current Commissioner Richard Ullger, Assistant Commissioner Cathal Yeats, and retired Superintendent Paul Richardson.
The Inquiry previously heard evidence from 17 witnesses over 19 days in April/May 2024. In November 2024, the Government applied to reopen oral evidence to allow questioning “about the substantive content of these WhatsApp messages, and their failure, in the case of the [Royal Gibraltar Police] to disclose them sooner and, in the case of Mr McGrail, to disclose them at all”.
Sir Peter Openshaw, Chairman of the Inquiry, granted the application and ordered a three-day hearing to allow “Mr McGrail, Mr Ullger, Mr Richardson and Mr Yeats the opportunity to give their explanations for the alleged delays, failures and deletions in public”.
The Royal Gibraltar Police maintains that it has given comprehensive disclosure, and Mr McGrail submits that he has responded extensively and proactively to disclosure requests from the Inquiry throughout its work.
Julian Santos and Hope Williams of 5RB appear as Counsel to the Inquiry. The Hearing will be live-streamed by the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation here.
