Gibraltar Today

The McGrail Inquiry has had to navigate around the restriction notice imposed on it by the Government. The Inquiry is examining its first witness – former police superintendent Paul Richardson. It follows the lawyer for the Government saying it did not interfere with the investigation into the hacking of the national security system - aka "Operation Delhi". Ros Astengo brought us the latest.

An 'Awesome Autism Awareness' fun day is happening this Saturday in Casemates. It promises to be a jam-packed day of activities and live music, with money being raised for Little Smiles; a charity which supports St. Martin's school. Organiser Lesley Chadwick told us more about the event.

And, a new film by Nina Danino will be screened in Gibraltar by Gibraltar Cultural Services. ‘Maria’ focuses on the life and last days of Maria Callas, the American-Greek Soprano singer. The film image is transfigured in an audio-visual ‘Iconostasis’ (a wall of icons) of different archive formats and newly-shot footage. Nina Danino spoke to us about the film ahead of its screening at Inces Hall later this month.

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On Day 3 of the Inquiry, Ian McGrail’s lead Counsel in the Inquiry, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, has described the Chief Minister’s actions relating to a search warrant in the Operation Delhi investigaiton as ‘grotesque, unbelievable, bizazrre and unprecedented’. The operation was a criminal investigation into the alleged hacking of the national security system. A search warrant was executed at the offices and home of Hassans senior partner James Levy. Mr Levy was never charged and denies any wrongdoing. Ms Gallagher has accused Fabian Picardo of having had lengthy discussions with Lewis Baglietto, the lawyer of a criminal suspect, about how to prevent the police issuing a search warrant and how to remove a police commissioner from office. Our reporter, Ros Astengo joined us to discuss the biggest parts of the morning's proceedings.

And, we spoke to photographer Juan Carlos Teuma ahead of the launch of his book Hunting Lights in the Shadows, Memoirs of a paparazzo. The book launch will be taking place on Thursday 11th April from 4pm-6pm. His nephew Jonathan Teuma wrote the book with him. We spoke to them in the studio about what it was like working together on the book.

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In day 2 of the McGrail Inquiry, the Police lawyer has told the Chairman officers acted professionally at all times when executing a search warrant in the offices and home of Hassans senior partner James Levy. The lawyer representing the lead officer in that police investigation said it was frustrating Mr Picardo has been able to recover his WhatsApps to and from everyone else but not to and from Mr Levy. Our reporter Ros Astengo brought us the latest.

The Government have announced another restructure of the Health and Care system. Among some of the key changes, the Minister for Health will take over as Chair of the GHA Board, with the Chief Secretary to become Vice-Chair.  There will be an accountability agreement in place to limit ministerial input. Gemma Arias Vasquez says the restructure is expected to improve services and increase efficiency, without costing more. 

And, Gibraltar's sporting best will be celebrated this evening at the annual GBC Sports Awards. A variety of trophies will be awarded throughout the night, building up to the main award; the ‘GBC Sports Person of the Year’. We looked ahead to the show with GBC's Sports Producer John Shephard and our sports reporter Jose Mari Ruiz.

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The McGrail Inquiry Chairman says nothing will affect his resolve and duty under the law to find out the facts as to the reasons and circumstances that led to the former Commissioner's early retirement. In his opening statements this morning, Sir Peter Openshaw said the effect of the Government's restriction notice on the inquiry remains to be seen but that it would be directed to relatively few documents in the context of the thousands provided to the inquiry. He expressed confidence that the inquiry can properly proceed. Our reporter Ros Astengo has been following proceedings and joined us in the studio. Our CEO James Neish also spoke to us about the broadcasting of the inquiry.

Robin Sheppard-Capurro brought us the latest sports news from the weekend.

And, it's the 10th anniversary of the Med Steps 5 challenge, and the event seems to be bigger and more popular than ever. We spoke to organiser Mark Cooper ahead of the registration day on Wednesday.

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What are your thoughts on the Inquiry? Our reporter Shelina Assomull went to town to find out what peoples' opinions are ahead of the start of the Inquiry on Monday.

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For a third year running, personal trainer Floyd Swift has set himself several challenges to raise funds for Cancer Relief.

Having lost both of his parents to the disease, he also wants to to spread awareness of the signs of cancer during this time-frame.

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We find out about the GFA's Easter camp for young footballers.

Christina Cortes was there this morning.

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And, we speak to tax specialist and podcaster, Grahame Jackson, about an essay competition.

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The Chairman of the McGrail Inquiry has approved a protocol for live-streaming the proceedings. Ros Astengo has the details ahead of the main hearing starting on Monday and will be broadcast on GBC Television, Radio Gibraltar Plus and gbc.gi. Ros will also whet the appetite ahead of tonight's Viewpoint.

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The Minister for Tourism, Christian Santos has launched a Visit-Gibraltar rebrand.

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We speak to the Royal Gibraltar Regiment after their annual training, Exercise Jebel Tarik, in the UK.

Colour Sergeant Wink, Lance Corporal Knox, Private Hamilton and Lance Corporal Mercieca will be here. 

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And, artists from Gibraltar and Andalucia are collaborating in a group exhibition called we discuss Aires del Sur, an exhibition organised by Ace Art. 

John Paul Bautista, Christian Castro and Jesus Mora Astorga will be here.

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We have two big guests today. 

The Chief Minister Fabian Picardo will join us. 

As will the Leader of the Opposition Keith Azopardi.

The topic? The controversial introduction of new inquiries legislation, days before the start of the inquiry into the early retirement of the former police commissioner Ian mcgrail. 

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The Times newspaper says the former Police Commissioner Ian McGrail and Chief Minister Fabian Picardo are locked in the sort of feud usually associated with banana republics.

With six days to the start of the main hearings, there is a schedule of who will give oral evidence when.

Details from our reporter Ros Astengo.

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After spending four years in Government, what’s the view like from outside?

Vijay Daryanani narrowly missed out on a place in parliament at October’s election.

He joins us now, good afternoon Mr Daryanani - how’s life outside of frontline politics?

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Bishop Carmel Zammit turns 75 this year, and has written to the Vatican about succession planning following his retirement. He joins us.

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We speak to The Young Enterprise team 'Connect'; a company focusing on supporting Gibraltar's neurodiverse and disabled community. Natalia Porter, Sarah Bensadon and Anna Jimenez will join me. 

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Monument Plaza and Monument place was also given full planning permission, following the outline permission granted to it in June last year. At the time there were strong objections from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to the changes proposed to the Cross of Sacrifice monument. Developer Gillaine Dellipiani Stagnetto has managed to come to an agreement with the Commission.

The Government has accused the Leader of the Opposition of effectively seeking direct rule on the Inquiries legislation. Keith Azopardi says Fabian Picardo is making mischief to distract. Our reporter Christina Cortes spoke to both the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.

And, it’s Easter, Ramadan & soon Passover - how will our community mark these religious festivals? Ros Astengo looks ahead to Viewpoint, featuring the Roman Catholic Bishop Carmel Zammit, The Dean of Gibraltar, the Very Reverend Ian Tarrant, Rabbi Noiky Roberts & representing the Imam, Khaoula El-Anda-Loussi.

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The new Inquiries Act is now law, after the Governor, Sir David Steel, gave it royal assent; it is set to be brought into effect this week. Sir Peter Openshaw's team will invite submissions from Core Participants as to whether they disagree with the Government's position that the new Act automatically applies to this Inquiry. A fact sheet has just been published on the Inquiry's website. Our reporter Ros Astengo has reviewed it, and told us what stood out to her from this fact sheet.

And, after an album hiatus of sixteen years, Albert Hammond is back with a bumper seventeen-track offering which is aptly titled ‘Body Of Work.’ The album has garnered many plaudits and excellent reviews all over the music industry. It’s a significant milestone album only three months away from his 80th birthday. We had the absolute pleasure to welcome the local legend to the Radio Gibraltar studios to talk about his new music.

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