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Breaking news: Union's in-house bid fail to get defence contract
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UK armed forces minister Adam Ingram provoked an instant demonstration today when it became known that the UK government had not accepted an in-house option for the MOD contract in Gibraltar.
Ingram was in a lightning visit to Gibraltar. He arrived last night and was driven to the British Governor's residence. This morning he informed the chief minister Peter Caruana of the decision, due to leave subsequently.
But trouble broke out with the unions. A crowd of several hundred gathered outside the Governor's residence and there was booing and jeering.
Security was stepped up, with barriers placed in the area. There was a strong police presence.
The bid from a UK firm has won the contract, being better priced than the in-house union bid, it emerged.
The unions say they will fight the decision all the way and that the contractor will not be able to operate in Gibraltar, as the unions will not allow them.
A grim scenario has developed, the most feared situation.
The workforce is to be informed officially this afternoon, but there are calls to boycott the meeting.
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