The Inquiry into the Retirement of the Former Commissioner of Police has today delivered its Final Report to the Government of Gibraltar.
Julian Santos and Hope Williams of 5RB acted as Counsel to the Inquiry since 2022, advising retired High Court Judge Sir Peter Openshaw.
The Inquiry received 114 affidavits from 73 different witnesses. Of those, 17 witnesses gave oral evidence at the Main Inquiry Hearing in April and May 2024, including the Chief Minister, Attorney-General and Director of Public Prosecutions. The Inquiry was reconvened for a further evidential hearing on 9 to 11 April 2025 to consider WhatsApp evidence that was disclosed after the Main Inquiry Hearing.
Topics addressed in the Inquiry’s Report include (1) the investigation into the alleged hacking of Gibraltar’s National Security Centralised Intelligence System, (2) a collision at sea involving a police vessel which resulted in two deaths, and (3) police actions in obstructing an aircraft at Gibraltar airport to remove an employee of the UK Ministry of Defence.
Pursuant to section 24 of the Inquiries Act 2024 (Gibraltar), the Chairman must deliver the Report to the Government. It is now the duty of the Government to arrange for the Report to be published in full, save any material which may be withheld under section 25(4). The Chief Minister stated in Parliament today that he would table the Report in “coming weeks”.
Julian Santos was recently appointed KC in Gibraltar. Julian and Hope both accept instructions in public inquiries in the UK and Gibraltar, and have particular expertise in the media issues which arise in inquiries, including applications for restriction orders, open justice issues and data protection.