Bishop Caruana signs Dr Giraldi Home Inquiry Petition

The clamour for a public inquiry into the allegations surrounding the Dr Giraldi Home for the disabled in Gibraltar is attracting support from high places!

The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement (GLDM) are reporting today that Bishop Charles Caruana, the leader of Gibraltar's Roman Catholic diocese, apparently signed their petition on Saturday.

The petition calls for a public inquiry into the Government's Social Services Agency's handling of serious allegations made during the past three years, which were highlighted last month on Spanish TV's Antena 3 programme 'Espejo Publico'. The programme featured Gibraltar's home for the disabled, the Dr Giraldi Home, referring to it as 'Gibraltar's House Of Horrors'!

The screening of the programme has caused much embarrassment to the Government and hs instigated a public row and slanging match between the Government, the Opposition parties and Gibraltar's Disability groups.

In a statement today, the Gibraltar Local Disability Movement report that Bishop Caruana signed the petition while he was attending the Royal Marines parade, who marched through the streets of Gibraltar on Saturday morning, exercising their 'Freedom of the City of Gibraltar'.

Apparently, during the parade in Main Street, Bishop Caruana approached the Disability Movement's table at the Piazza and after engaging with them in conversation, signed the petition for the public inquiry.

During his conversation, Bishop Caruana asked the question that is on everyone's mind, "why have they taken so long", and added what many of us have been saying for a long time now... "the sooner they do it the better"!

Bishop Caruana’s strong voice and support is very welcome, especially to the GLDM.

Gordon Nelson, spokesperson for the Disability Movement said:

"Bishop Caruana’s support for our petition calling for a public inquiry into the allegations of Dr Giraldi Home has not only strengthened our call but has also given us the strength and inspiration to see it through to the end.

The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement is working with very limited resources to conduct this sampling of public support for our petition for a public inquiry into the allegations of Dr Giraldi Home. We hope to be able to hand the petition over to the Governor, Sir Robert Fulton, very soon."

Mr Nelson added that the Governor is a representative for the Queen and the UK. He pointed out that the UK is responsible for Gibraltar’s compliance with the various charters respecting the rights of the disabled internationally. He said the GLDM is urging for "appropriate measures be made to enlist the support of the UK government, for a full and public inquiry into the allegations of Dr Giraldi Home, thereby remedying our violation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities".

Gordon Nelson, in the GLDM statement, concludes:

"The inquiry should also ensure that systemic failures are addressed by providing for regular such independent audits to prevent a recurrence of this sorry affair.

The Gibraltar Constitution does not diminish the UK's international responsibility for Gibraltar and as the member state responsible in the European Union the UK has a duty to ensure that Gibraltar complies."

Quite right Gordon... go for it... Oh and Well Done the Bish... he is a good egg!!

Dr Giraldi Home allegations... When Will It All End?

Earlier this month I posted about the serious concerns raised in Spanish TV's Antena 3 programme 'Espejo Publico' which featured Gibraltar's home for the disabled, the Dr Giraldi Home, calling the home, rather alarmingly, 'Gibraltar's House Of Horrors'.

The title of the programme is, no doubt, typical of the worst kind of gutter journalism inherent on Spanish TV (especially when it concerns Gibraltar)!

Having said that, the fact remains that the programme highlighted some serious allegations... that to my mind, really need to be addressed properly.

Following the airing of the programme, the Gibraltar media was full of the usual slanging match, in a dialogue descending to calling each other liars, giving no credit to either side, neither the Government defending the indefensible (in not having instituted a proper independent inquiry on the issue) nor the Opposition, who made a very bad job of using the serious concerns, to score points off their counterparts, as per usual!

In a follow up post, I said that issue was not about a TV programme... the issue is about trust and confidence in the Social Services Agency... and the proper care offered in the Dr Giraldi Home... and the urgent need for an independent inquiry. This is still the case today... and nothing has moved on!

Last week, the Gibraltar Local Disability Movement made public a series of Witness Statements regarding the allegations of abuse at the Dr Giraldi Home. These statements were made by witnesses in support of Joanna Hernandez, the manager of the home at the time these allegations were first aired, at her Disciplinary Hearing which resulted in her dismissal. An industrial tribunal against her dismissal collapsed when the Government, having squandered tens of thousands of pounds of Gibraltar taxpayers' money in apparent attempts to silence these allegations, were unable to provide any further evidence against her to substantiate her dismissal.

In April 2008, following the tribunal, the Social Services Agency, in a Government statement said the Agency "again calls for anyone who alleges wrongdoing to report it to the management of the Agency, to the RGP or to the Government". The statement added that "a constant campaign of innuendo without reporting allegations to the police, is totally unfair on the staff of the Agency who are workers delivering a valuable public service".

Quite so... and here is the nub of this ongoing sore in the side of Gibraltar's disability community. Seems to me the trouble is when the allegations have been brought to the attention of the authorities, even made public, they have still not been properly cleared up, to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Once again today, the Gibraltar Local Disability Movement are asking... "when will it all end?".

They quote the TGWU spokesman on Health and Equality, Sukh Khaira, who earlier this week said:

"Unfortunately over the last few weeks we and the silent majority have observed certain elements intensifying their efforts to divide public opinion to the point where this tide of slander and innuendo can only sow doubt and disunity."

How much "doubt and disunity" does one need, before the authorities act once and for all? The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement, understandably, note that "having two employees speaking on behalf of the work force with strongly stated sentiments that the former manger conducted a witch-hunt, can only sow doubt and disunity". Their statement today adds:

"We may be able to fix any disunity but we are sure that any doubt to the allegations can only be fixed by holding a position that a public inquiry to the allegations of Dr Giraldi Home is undertaken, and that an independent assessor as required by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities be implemented."

The GLDM's feelings are that "Gibraltar is in a state of uncertainty and mistrust, and is full of uncertainties if anything has happened at Dr Giraldi Home".

"If we have a situation of uncertainties no percentage must be taken on who is right or wrong. Our concerns must be one hundred percent with no doubt that all is well, and not for public opinion but for all who lives at Dr Giraldi Home and families and those that work at the home."

The GLDM will be organising a collection of signatures this Saturday 28th February, in a petition calling on the Governor, Sir Robert Fulton, to set up a full enquiry.

It's a crying shame that this issue has been allowed, by the Government, to fester in this shameful way. It really is about time they stopped squabbling with 'The Walrus' and got their act together and sorted this out... by implementing an independent and credible inquiry into these allegations!

If the Government was embarassed and annoyed by the airing of the 'Gibraltar's House Of Horrors' Spanish TV programme, just think how much more embarassed... and 'put out' they're going to be, if and when the burly Marine has to have a word in their 'shell like' ear... to get this sorted... once and for all!!

Antena 3 TV and the 'House Of Horrors' allegations... what's the real issue here?

Perhaps not unexpectedly, both the Gibraltar Government and the official opposition party, the GSLP (Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party), are resorting to calling each other liars, following the serious allegations made in the now infamous 'Gibraltar House Of Horrors' item featured in Andalusian TV station Antena 3's programme 'Espejo Publico' a week ago.

As I wrote about earlier this week, (the blog post includes a youtube video of the programme) the programme highlighted serious allegations concerning the Dr Giraldi Home, describing it as a 'House of Horrors'. Perhaps a little over the top, but nevertheless, it's once again highlighted some very serious concerns about the running of this home for the disabled by Gibraltar's Social Services Agency.

While the Government and the GSLP are once again embroiled in name calling, Gibraltar's Disability Society are expressing their concerns about the programme's 'fallout' with residents (and one would assumes the family of residents) and staff, quite understandably.

In a statement, The Society said it "sanctions Antena 3 for using such a description" and accuses it of "having little regard for the repercussions upon the dignity of the residents, the concerns of their families and the morale of the present staff".

The Disability Society is chaired by Debbie Borastero. This Society is not connected to the Gibraltar Local Disability Movement, which is headed by Gordon Nelson. Mr Nelson has been very critical of the running of the Dr Giraldi Home for a long time now and has been concerned publicly about the allegations, since they were initially aired by the dismissed Manager, Joanna Hernandez. Possibly even before then too.

In an attempt to calm the row, the Disability Society said they are "aware that the staff members who were the subject of several justified complaints which were made by service users, their families and other staff members, are no longer in employment at the home".

"The recent programme is adversely affecting the morale of the present staff and the Society is very concerned that this will affect the quality of the existing service.

It calls on the Social Services Agency to do everything possible to maintain and sustain staff morale."

In a statement yesterday, the GSLP refuted accusations of "untrue allegations" by the Government and, slightly unnerving me by agreeing with me more or less word for word, reiterated their call for a full independent inquiry into the allegations.

Instead of getting embroiled in slanging matches or trying to fight an industrial tribunal against the Manager of the home at the time, (fruitlessly as it turned out as they were unable to provide any evidence), it seems to me, the Government should stop twittering on about allegations, untrue or otherwise, and get on with what they should have done nearly three years ago... and that is set up a transparent and independent inquiry as a matter of urgency. This is the only possible way the community will ever regain trust and confidence in how the Dr Giraldi home is run.... not least the embattled Social Services Agency... and disability issues generally in Gibraltar!

The issue is not about a TV programme... the issue is about trust and confidence in the Social Services Agency... and the proper care offered in the Dr Giraldi Home... and the urgent need for an independent inquiry!

Antena 3 TV station airs Gibraltar's "House Of Horrors" allegations

Last Thursday 5th February a local Andalusian TV station, Antena 3 TV featured some serious allegations being made in connection with a Gibraltar Government run home for the disabled on their programme 'Espejo-Publico'. The programme was titled "Gibraltar House Of Horrors". Here's an excerpt from YouTube:



As you can imagine, the programme has caused some consternation in Gibraltar and shortly after it was broadcast, I had this email exchange with a close friend. Their comments are in quotes with my answers in normal type.

I don't know if you've heard about the content of the video, coincidentally I was watching Antenna 3 yesterday when it was aired.

I was not aware of this programme... but thanks for bringing it to my attention!

I have long been aware of the serious allegations being made against the management of the Dr Giraldi home in Gibraltar... very serious allegations of abuse and of unprofessional conduct by staff there. These allegations have been around for quite a while now.

What I say is, that, whether the allegations are true or not (and I'm all for an investigation if there's a need for one) how dare Mr Bossano, la de Fernandez and the two other politicians air our 'dirty laundry' on a Spanish TV programme! What is it they want to achieve with this?

It's a pity that these concerns have not been aired more emphatically in Gibraltar, by the GBC for instance... and most certainly, what is more concerning (and I'm glad you feel this is necessary too... ) is the lack of a independent investigation... maybe even a judicial review in Gibraltar.

The fact that Gibraltar authorities have not properly investigated these allegations... has simply given more credence to our 'neighbours' (and other maybe detractors) to do what they always love to do... highlight our problems... and find anything they can... to be critical about Gibraltar. The shame is... Gibraltar... through the apathy of the authorities to properly investigate these serious concerns... simply continue to give these Gibraltar detractors more ammunition.

What business is it of anybody other than ours here in Gibraltar. What is clear is that Bossano will stop at nothing even shooting Gibraltar in the foot for his own political aims.

Well... I understand your criticism of Bossano... and whilst I would not disagree with your perceived motives... again, if the Gib Authorities had investigated these allegatons properly long ago... Bossano would not have any cause for criticism now... however ill advised or motivated they may be.

Did he not do enough damage to Gibraltar's image by condoning and encouraging the fast launch tobacco smuggling activities or the strikes at the dockyard in order to bring down Kvaerner to the detriment of the misguided workers and Gibraltar as a whole?

Es que los que hace ese hombre me pone negra!!!!

Yes... he's not my favourite 'walrus' either... but of more concern is... what HAS been going on ... or worse... may still be going on at the Dr Giraldi home... and in other ways generally in relation to Disability issues in Gibraltar. These matters need to be addressed by the Government, the Health Authority... and even maybe by the Judiciary... as a matter of great urgency. That is more to the point I think!

If Gibraltar were to regulate, clean and manage itself properly... then no one could criticise Gibraltar... whether it is about disability issues... or any of the many other issues... that I have commented on before... indeed over which we have even fallen out about in the past.. issues such as pollution, human rights, ndescriminate and uncontrolled town planning, etc. Just to mention a few... I could go on!

Finally... our neighbours would do well, to take note of this well known Bible quote:

"You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you will see clearly enough to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Matthew 7:5

... and pigs may fly one day too! lol

Let's just try and reduce the reasons for them to have a go at us. Anyhow... good to get that off your chest?? :) Hope you feel better for it.

In closing, one thing I would advise is for you to do what you can to encourage your Ministers... to clean their own house up... before others try to do it for them... the EU for instance... in pollution and human rights (we are being sued shortly on matters related to both these counts) and try and bring Gibraltar into the 21st century... no doubt kicking and screaming all the way!

Good luck! :)