Former UK Police Commissioner Ian McGrail called on Friday for an independent investigation by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office into corruption in Gibraltar, in a statement from his lawyer to the Gibraltar Broadcasting Corporation (GBC).

McGrail was arrested in March 2022 on suspicion of conspiracy to obtain unauthorized computer material, misconduct and violations of data protection rules, which raised suspicions into the circumstances of his early retirement. He was later released on bail according to police. McGrail’s lawyer, Charles Gomez, previously gave a statement explaining that his client reported the data breach himself and that he separately kept some personal files because of a concern that a criminal conspiracy was being “covered up” and his job was at risk. The documents have been returned. Despite the initial arrest, both McGrail and his lawyer are confident that the data breach investigation was no obstacle when dealing with the main inquiry hearing set to take place in September.

Sir Peter Openshaw is chairing an inquiry into McGrail’s sudden retirement in June 2020 half way through his term after 36 years of service. McGrail says he retired after being pressured throughout an investigation into claims of corruption in the higher sectors of government.

In local news reports, Gomez suggested that over 10 potential witnesses (Royal Gibraltar Police officers) could come forward to give evidence against McGrail as they were receiving incentives such as promotions since 2021 to do this. They also said that 11 officers have left the police force because they pointed out the corruption and had “whistleblower protections.” Gomez suggested that these incentives can cause witnesses to give false evidence, potentially jeopardizing the inquiry process. He is asking the Royal Gibraltar Police to allow an investigation into corruption to take place.