McGrail Inquiry: Counsel lays ground for extraordinary revelations over coming weeks

Summary

The McGrael Inquiry's first day broadcast by GBC captivated local attention, with lead Council Julian Santos spending nearly 6 hours going through 94 witness statements. The inquiry is neither a criminal trial nor an adversarial process. Central to the investigation is the alleged hacking of Jalter's security systems, involving the arrest of three men, including two directors of 36 North. The narrative includes disagreements on facts, allegations of misconduct, and concerns over the handling of evidence. The proceedings aim to provide context for upcoming evidence and testimonies, highlighting the complexity of the case and the various perspectives involved.

Takeaways

• 📺 The McGrael Inquiry's first day was highly anticipated and followed closely by the public through various media.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Lead Council Julian Santos was on his feet for nearly 6 hours, handling 94 witness statements and providing both broad summaries and detailed submissions.
• 🗣️ Council's opening words were brief, mentioning recent events but focusing on the inquiry's purpose and determination to fulfill its terms of engagement.
• 🚨 The inquiry is not a criminal or civil trial, and it aims to ventilate issues that have caused public pain due to recent commentary.
• 🔍 There is fierce disagreement on the facts of Operation Delhi, an investigation into an alleged hacking of security systems, with established facts including an investigation, arrests, and searches.
• 🤝 James Levie, a key figure, was cooperative but never arrested or charged, and his devices were returned.
• 💼 The Chief Minister's involvement was limited to expressing concerns about financial liabilities for potential data breaches and loss of confidence in Mr. McGrael based on his actions.
• 🛑 Deficiencies in the search warrants were identified, including unsatisfactory reasons and the inclusion of legally privileged material.
• 🌊 A separate incident in March 2020 involved the death of two men after a collision with an RGP vessel, leading to questions about the location of the incident and the transparency of information.
• 👨‍✈️ Other issues to be addressed include a search in Alessa leading to prosecutions in Spain, a 2017 airport standoff over jurisdiction, and a UK police body's findings on the RGP.
• 📝 Lawyers for core participants will make their own initial submissions to the judge in the upcoming proceedings.

Q & A

What was the general atmosphere surrounding the broadcast of the first day of the McGrael inquiry?

The broadcast of the first day of the McGrael inquiry was highly anticipated, with people in every office and establishment following the proceedings with bated breath through radio, TV, or smart devices.

How long did the inquiry's lead council, Julian Santos, speak on the first day?

Julian Santos, the inquiry's lead council, was on his feet for nearly 6 hours on the first day.

What was the nature of Julian Santos's opening submissions?

Julian Santos's opening submissions were a mix of broad summaries and detailed insights, providing context for the evidence that would be heard in the coming weeks.

What was the stance of the OPA in relation to the events of the last few weeks?

The OPA's stance was to observe the events of the last few weeks briefly and to the point, without dwelling on them, and to express determination to fulfill the terms of engagement.

What was the main point of disagreement among the core participants in the case of Operation Delhi?

The main point of disagreement among the core participants in Operation Delhi was the facts surrounding the conspiracy investigation, with fierce disagreement on the alleged hacking of Jalter's security systems in May 2020.

What happened to the three men arrested in connection with the alleged hacking of Jalter's security systems?

Two of the three men arrested were directors of 36 North, one of whom, Hassan, owned 33%. The other man, James Gererro of the Bland Group, ran the system. While they were arrested, James Gererro was never charged or arrested and his devices were returned to him.

What was the Chief Minister's reaction to the events surrounding the hacking allegations?

The Chief Minister expressed serious concern about the financial liabilities on the government for potential data breach risks and claimed to have reacted similarly if any other senior member of the bar had been involved.

What were the two key deficiencies in the RGPS's warrants for the search warrants, according to the inquiry's lead council?

The two key deficiencies were the unsatisfactory and generic reason provided by the RGP for seeking a warrant, suggesting that Mr. Levie, as a suspect, was likely to destroy evidence, and the lack of power under the CPA to execute a search warrant for the purpose of seizing legally privileged material.

What incident in March 2020 involving a Spanish RIB led to a loss of confidence in the Commissioner by the Governor and the Chief Minister?

In March 2020, two men aboard a Spanish RIB suspected of illicit activities died following a collision with an RGP vessel. The Governor and the Chief Minister claimed to have lost confidence in the Commissioner over his handling of the incident, suspecting that he was withholding essential information.

What other issues will the inquiry address apart from the main case of Operation Delhi?

Apart from Operation Delhi, the inquiry will also address issues such as a search carried out in Alessa leading to criminal prosecutions against police officers in Spain, the standoff at the airport in 2017 over jurisdiction, the fractured relationship with the Police Federation, and the findings of a UK police body investigating the RGP.

What is expected to happen following the initial submissions made by the inquiry's lead council and the OPA?

Following the initial submissions, lawyers acting for some of the core participants will be making their own initial submissions to the judge, furthering the inquiry and expanding upon the various aspects and issues involved.