[WATCH] PN stands by former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono

Beppe Fenech Adami on former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono case

PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami stands by a PN’s decision adopting a wait-and-see approach, describing reports surrounding former PN minister Giovanna Debono as “unsubstantiated evidence”.

“The PN has already expressed its opinion on the Giovanna Debono case and it is not likely to change this just because of unsubstantiated evidence being pushed forward by the government,” Fenech Adami said in fresh comments over the case.

On Sunday, MaltaToday reported that a second Gozitan contractor has come forward offering to substantiate claims about free private construction works paid for by the Gozo Ministry. The case was first revealed by a Gozitan contractor who blew the whistle on Giovanna Debono’s husband, Anthony, who used the ministerial budget to bankroll private jobs for constituents.

The Gozitan contractors, whose names are being withheld from publication for fear of retaliation, will have to be formally and legally recognised as whistleblowers after a painstaking procedure to guarantee that they are immune from prosecution if they fully substantiate their allegations. 

Along with pictures of works carried out in Gozo, extracts of an email sent to PN whip David Agius by the first contractor were also published.

Speaking to MaltaToday following a press conference in Iklin, Fench Adami insisted that the accusations were “nothing but mud slinging right ahead of the upcoming local council elections, as the lack of proper evidence shows”.

“Joseph Muscat has made various claims which have yet remained unsubstantiated and as such the Nationalist Party’s position has remained constant; it will not take any steps against Debono unless any of these claims are substantiate,” the deputy PN leader said.