It was with some dismay that I found out from the media that British Police Officers have joined their Spanish counterparts to patrol the streets of the tourist resort of Majorca.

I find it extremely amazing that the whole exercise has been instigated by the British Foreign Office to ensure that British tourists and locals can have their holidays in safety and security.

That this type of activity in Spain should fall within the objects of the British Foreign Office when we the people of Gibraltar feel far from being protected from Spanish aggression because the British Foreign Office are not honoring their duty and obligation in protecting and defending British Gibraltarians is I submit scandalous and a striking example of how they value more their bilateral relations with our political enemy Spain.

It seems to me that the British Government are forgetting just how fortunate they are in having a base here for their nuclear powered submarines with all the dangers that it entails without the people being up in arms against it.

The British Government should think hard about it every time they blatantly turn a blind eye in defending and protecting Gibraltar and its people.

Yours sincerely,

Francis Gonzalez.

18-08-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR

Incursions or excursions...?

August 18, 2015

Dear Sir,

It seems to me that the number of Spanish naval and paramilitary incursions into BGTW is beginning to exceed the number of tourist coaches successfully negotiating the daily Gibraltar/Spain Frontier obstacles. The predictable response of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office mandarins of "writing official complaints at the highest level" must have surely led to the Spanish considering these, now pretty much daily events, as 'excursions'.

Would it surprise you if one day the captain of one of the Spanish frigates or Guardia Civil patrol boats invited the RN commander onboard for a Sherry, tapas and an all expenses paid holiday in the Costa?

This might open a new window of opportunity to jointly develop the tourist product to the benefit of the Campo.

Meanwhile British "bobbys" are patrolling the streets of Sousse, after the cowardly terrorist attacks on British holiday makers, and now also patrolling the streets of Magaluf in a joint Anglo/Spanish effort to contain the excesses of British holiday makers. Anything to appease the Spaniards eh?

I would very much welcome the presence of an Anglo/Gibraltarian initiative and effort to witness and monitor the barbaric behaviour of the Spanish authorities at the Gibraltar/Spain Frontier and the at times acts of abuse of human rights by some 'over-enthusiastic and patriotic' so called democratic representatives of an EU partner and NATO Ally.

As for the offer of 'ad-hoc' talks (relegating Gibraltar to a "local/regional" authority) which is no more than a thinly disguised attempt to establish AngloSpanish Bilateral talks, we've heard these heartfelt but untrustworthy offers before and no doubt will hear again and again, but beware, the Spanish may prove cannier than the Scotts.

Remember their 'Yes means No, Maybe means Never and No means Not a hope in Hell' and Mañana ?I leave it to your imagination.

Bemused,

Joe Brugada.

18-08-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR

Seven arrested in Casemates incident, as police say more arrests not ruled out

August 18, 2015

Seven persons have been arrested in connection with the Casemates incident and the Police say they do not rule out more arrests. All those arrested are on police bail until next month and have not yet been charged pending further investigation.

Asked about a video posted on Facebook and subsequenly removed, a police spokesman commented that although he did not believe that it was taken down on request from he RGP, he could not be certain that that was not the case.

More than one video was circulating. Someone said that most police now have cameras attached to their body armour. Is it not the same here? Surely the officers would have their own recordings of the incident, so I don't know why he tells the guy to stop recording.

But the RGP were later distancing themselves from the reports that a man was asked to stop recording, rather he was asked to move away, the RGP told us.

Someone else said: I agree the kids were acting in an aggressive manner, but to get the batons and dogs out is a bit over the top. That's open for debate.

When the police officer and the dog were confronted, the officer pushed the man away 'and the man stumbled and fell causing a laceration to his head,' said police. The man was bleeding and taken to hospital.

The police said that it all started at around 4.30am Friday when they identified a man in his 40s who was wanted for alleged theft. He was arrested for theft an disorderly conduct whilst intoxicated.

At around 11pm a woman was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.

18-08-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR

This box car may be a waste of time, but could it elicit ideas about having a mono-rail?

August 18, 2015

Talking point - What is that caravan-like contraption that has landed on the Piazza?

You might know it houses a so-called box car, part of the old dockyard railway.

But ask yourself what is the purpose of the exercise, then you might come up with the answer that it is a sheer waste of time.

Is the public expected to look at the exterior until you doze away in the sun, because if you want to have a peep inside you need to cross the square and put in a plea. What a carry on!

If the project is to do with the heritage trust, then it should have landed right outside their doorway so that the public can conjure up the thought that if you want to have an inner view you ought to ask about it.

In fact, why ask about it? Should it not be open all day to attract more attention than it is doing at present?

What is the point of all the refurbishment, of all the work, if the public relations side of it has been neglected.

There it is, Betsy by name, there all day long hoping to draw the admiration of all and sundry.

But what is it getting? Just a scant look.

Oh dear.

And while we bring back memories of the dockyard railway, what about the thought of our having a small railway to help our congested roads?

Those whose responsibility it is to put on their thinking hats ought to come out with ideas, because a small railway would be a good idea, indeed an exciting idea.

If there was some sort of railway in the dockyard long ago, why cannot the modern brain come up with something similar that would serve a useful purpose? If there are mono-rails in many English towns, why not here?

It would be much better than having Betsy sweating it out in the sun for no real purpose. A caravan by a better name, but not something that excites the passers-by.

So, if all the contributing organisations have put in their pecuniary efforts to get this project going, why not make the most of it?

Not only that, should it not serve to whet the appetite - as it must be possible to have a small railway somewhere. All we need do to bring it to fruition is to think about it.

18-08-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR