Bonnici underlines PN leader’s inaction in works-for-votes scandal

Justice minister Owen Bonnici today said that former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono’s resignation from the PN said more about the Opposition leader’s inability to take action than anything else.

“Simon Busuttil yesterday said he regretted Debono’s resignation and tried to distance the former minister from her husband,” Bonnici said, after Anthony Debono was charged with the misappropriation of public funds for construction works carried out for Gozitan constituents.

Debono, a civil servant, worked in the Gozo ministry headed by his wife.

While stressing that Busuttil knew about these allegations two years ago, the justice minister said that the PN leader failed to act.

“Had the whistleblower not come forward these allegations would have never come about,” Bonnici said, pointing out that the Whistleblowers’ Act was introduced by the current administration.

He went on to ask why Busuttil did not act upon learning of the allegations, adding: “what did the whistleblower tell Busuttil? What did Busuttil say in reply?”

In reply to questions on the alleged continuation of such illegalities under the current government, Bonnici said he was “satisfied” with the explanation given by Gozo minister Anton Refalo, following similar allegations published by the Nationalist Party media.

“Refalo has certainly not committed the same wrongdoings committed under the previous government,” he sternly replied.

Asked whether he believes that government intends to introduce new measures and legislation to guarantee transparency in the way ministries operate and how public funds are used, Bonnici said that his government had already removed prescription on crimes committed by politicians, and introduced the whistleblowers act. “Our track record speaks for itself.”