.jpg)
Police Commissioner criticises OLAF chief's handling of Dalli case
Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit says he would have risked being kicked out of office had he acted in the same way as OLAF chief did.
14 June 2013, 12:00am
Jurgen Balzan
Jurgen Balzan
1 min read
Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit
Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit says he would have been kicked out of office had he acted in the same way as the EU's anti-fraud agency chief Giovanni Kessler in his investigations on former European Commissioner John Dalli.
"If I were to act in the same manner in my position now I think I would be risking getting kicked out of office," Zammit said.
In an interview on German television station WDR, Zammit said that the EU's anti-fraud agency's investigations were carried out hastily and incorrect.
"In my opinion such cases do not warrant such speed and such a reaction without being looked into properly by all those concerned. If I were to take people to court because somebody said something, I would be wrong."
He added that the Tobacco Directive, piloted by Dalli, had a lot to do with the OLAF investigations, "but the issue is, who pulled the strings and who intended what? This is the matter which is not clear yet at this stage and one of the issues still under investigation."
The WDR programme also includes a brief interview with Dalli. Seen watching footage of a confrontation between Kessler and Green MEP Jose Bove, who has called for the OLAF chief's resignation, John Dalli said: "He's (Kessler) not logical he's twisting facts all the time...its unbelievable...to have your life depending on this guy or any citizen's life for that matter, not just my life. That's why he should resign I think.
Watch the programme (in German) here (4'10'').
Jurgen Balzan was a MaltaToday reported from 2011 to 2017.
•
The new Police Commissioner, must act in the best of all we citizens especially those who are of good faith. The big problem arise when some of His subordinates act in strange way and put the Police Dept. in bad light. The reshuffle of shifts at the MIA regarding Immigration Officers, is a healthy move for the best of all, but not when people involved befriended others with 'BAD PRACTICES'.
•
From the beginning it was obvious that Mr John Dalli was the victim of a frame up!
•
Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit says he would have been kicked out of office had he acted in the same way as the EU's anti-fraud. Ok a good statement by the Police Commissioner, but what about the reshuffle of Immigration staff at His own department at MIA, where the Police Inspector in charge acted in an unprofessional way when He 'Police Inspector' accepted recommendations from Immigration staff to work with their selected colleagues, and accepted such recommendations, when the only purpose of the shifts reshuffle was to reduce abuses. Apart from that Whistleblowers were singled out in different shifts. Can I believe anymore such statements?
•
Fantastic Peter Paul. You hit the nail on the head and your credibility, always high, is now sky high. The views I have always known you to hold dear have remained your guiding light and these values augur well for the Police Corps now and in the future. With your guidance and drive, the Police Corps can now start to regain its position as one of the best Forces in Europe.
•
It looks like everyone seems to be critical to the way The OLAF Chief Giovanni Kessler investigated the case of John Dalli ,except Barroso and Kessler himself.
