Labour challenges PN to explain ‘inconsistencies’ over Gozo free construction case

PL President Daniel Micallef accuses Opposition leader of 'hiding from the media', critcises PN secretary general for not having reported free construction case to the police 

Labour challenges PN to explain ‘inconsistencies’ in Gozo free construction case

The Labour Party called on the Nationalist Party to explain “inconsistencies” in its declarations over the Gozo free construction case.

In a press conference addressed by PL president Daniel Micallef and PL chief executive Gino Cauchi, the Labour Party called for clear answers, saying that the PN had known of the case months ago.

Micallef said the press conference was not about calling for any resignations from within the PN but about demanding answers: "There have been to many inconsistencies and we are commenting on the trail of events as they uncover."

“Instead of reporting the case to the police, PN Secretary General Chris Said told the contractor that he would look into the matter,” Micallef added. “Instead of hiding from the media, the PN leader must come clean.”

Three Gozitan contractors have come forward to substantiate claims that they were asked to carry out construction work for private residences or businesses by the Ministry of Gozo. MaltaToday has reported the scam involving the Gozo ministry, where Anthony Debono, the husband of former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono, had a position of responsibility.

On Saturday, PN Secretary General Chris Said confirmed that he had been contacted by a whistleblower of works which the contractor called “works for votes.” Said also confirmed meeting the whistleblower and corresponded with him via emails when the latter approached him after the general election.

In a response to the PL's press conference, the PN accused the Prime Minister of using these allegations as a means of getting out of a corner that two recent audit reports have placed him into.

“Joseph Muscat must shoulder political responsibility for his personal involvement in the Café Premier scandal, and take action against Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi for telling Enemalta to hedge fuel with Socar," the PN said in a statement. “Muscat must also shoulder political responsibility for the way Cyrus Engerer was given security clearance despite having a criminal record.”

The PN secretary general also said the whistleblower had referred him to works carried out at Gharb, and after contacting mayor David Apap, Said said it resulted that the works were funded by the Ministry for Gozo and any pending payments should be issued by the ministry.

Describing the case as an "unprecedented" one, Cauchi said it was not true that Simon Busuttil had learnt of the extent of the works last Friday, but shortly after his election as PN leader.

"Why did they try to hide the truth from coming out? Why is he defending Giovanna Debono and why did he stop Chris Said from taking action?" Cauchi asked.

Cauchi said it was even more worrying that Said told the contractor that he would help him in all possible way rather than going to the police, and added that it was legitimate to question whether the PN’s deputy leaders had also withheld the information.

"There are a lot of questions that the PN have to answer for and they cannot keep hiding,” he said. “They took no action after the whistleblower contacted them; they keep changing their version of events every time a new information comes out.”

Cauchi said that as soon as the Gozo Minister received the information, Anton Refalo referred the case to the internal structure that tackles cases of whistleblowing. This specific office - regulated by the Whistleblowers Act - investigated the claims.

Cauchi said further information published by the media sparked an immediate police investigation, and that the police worked faster- fueled by the reports published in the media.

Asked whether any action was taken to stop these abuses, Cauchi said the Labour Party found no problem with the police extending its investigation to include the past two years.