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Matthew Vella
Shadow minister for foreign affairs Leo Brincat (MLP) is at the heart of a new venture along with former MLP president Mario Vella, as director-shareholders of Euro Med Business Solutions (EMBS).
The two have joined Joseph Vella Bonnici, a director of Verdala Finance plc, and Pelagia Tonna and Joseph Cristina in the firm to offer “business and management consultancy,” Brincat told MaltaToday yesterday.
The company is registered at the same address of Grant Thornton at Princess Elizabeth street in Ta’ Xbiex, where economist Mario Vella works.
Brincat said his new professional endeavour would offer no form of conflict of interest with his former position at HSBC, where he has taken an early retirement, or his role as Labour spokesperson for foreign affairs and information technology.
“I am going to abide strictly by the code of ethics for parliamentarians, and I will do nothing to compromise my political role.”
Like those of any part-time MP, Leo Brincat’s professional interests run in tandem with a political life which MPs and ministers have to balance out in order to maintain impartiality and integrity.
“There are ministers and MPs who also have professional interests. Michael Frendo (foreign minister) is also a shareholder in a company, as well as John Dalli, although today an MP, is also a shareholder,” Leo Brincat said.
“I would abide by the code of ethics of ministers,” Brincat said when asked whether he would divest of his interests in the possibility that he will be Malta’s new foreign minister after the next election.
“I would like to assure you there is no conflict of interest with my present political responsibilities and as a former HSBC employee, and in the future if I will have a government responsibility I will strictly act by the code of ethics.”
mvella@mediatoday.com.mt
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