Lawrence Gonzi unaware of Gozo works-for-votes

Lawrence Gonzi unaware of Gozo works-for-votes

Former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi this morning said he never knew or suspected that the former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono’s husband was using public monies to finance construction works for Gozitan constituents, under false premises.

Yesterday former minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono announced that she had tendered her resignation from the Nationalist Party. However she will not be relinquishing her parliamentary seat.

Following a series of reports published by MaltaToday, Debono’s husband Anthony was arraigned over charges of using the ministerial budget to commission private works for constituents.

Talking to the press outside parliament in Valletta, Gonzi said Debono had acted in loyalty to the party and in her “customary” honesty.

Asked whether he expected her to relinquish her seat, Gonzi said the decision was up to the former Gozo minister.

Video is unavailable at this time.

This morning Gonzi and his wife Kate were given a personal tour of the new parliament by opposition leader Simon Busuttil who thanked his predecessor for his “courage and vision” which led to the construction of the €90 million project.

After showing the former prime minister and his wife around the chamber and the Opposition’s offices, Busuttil invited them for a private conversation in his office.

In a short address to the press the PN leader said “the building is a suitable house for parliament and the country.”

Dubbing it the “people’s house” Busuttil said the opposition intends to be the voice of the people within parliament but also ensure that the building is accessible and empowers people.