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James Debono
Labour councillor for Sliema Martin Debono has been asked by the Chamber of Architects to give evidence on an alleged breach of ethics in a case lodged by Malta Environment and Planning Authority director Chris Borg.
The MEPA director presented the case against architect Debono following hard-hitting criticism against MEPA officials during a Super One radio programme.
However, the letter asking Debono to present his evidence, dated 21 October, was received just a week after MEPA told MaltaToday that “from its end, there is no pending complaint, official or unofficial with the Kamra tal-Periti, against Perit Martin.”
The claim has been repeated in a letter sent to MaltaToday by MEPA’s public relations officer, which is published in this edition of MaltaToday.
Despite MEPA’s claim it “would not be following up the case with the Kamra tal-Periti” the case against Martin Debono has continued. The first hearing was held on 3 November.
In October, the president of the Kamra tal-Periti told MaltaToday that once a case was lodged the chamber is obliged to investigate irrespective of whether it is withdrawn or not.
After a lengthy meeting during which his lawyer contested the charges brought against him, Debono is expecting a written communication informing him on which counts he is being charged.
MEPA spokesperson Sylvana Debono had told MaltaToday in October that the compliant against Debono was lodged after the Sliema councillor made a number of accusations and allegations of corruption, directed at MEPA personnel, which included various architects in the authority during a radio programme on Super One.
But according to MEPA, the case against Debono was subsequently withdrawn after a meeting with the Labour councillor. Martin Debono, who is vociferous in opposing the Qui-Si-Sana car park project, considers this as an attempt to silence him.
In his original complaint the MEPA Director had accused Debono for using a “provocative tone” (tixwix) and “instigating listeners to phone to offend the Malta Environment and Planning Authority”.
If found guilty Debono could either face a warning or at most he could be denied of his warrant, without which he would not be able to exercise his profession.
This is second time in which Debono’s right to exercise his profession is being questioned. Debono was not granted a warrant upon his return from the United States were he had completed his studies. He was only granted a warrant in 1996.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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