Labour concerned by Busuttil's silence over whistleblower's claims

Labour concerned by Busuttil's silence over whistleblower's claims

The Labour Party has expressed its "concern" over the PN leader's silence, following a revealing testimony by Gozitan whistleblower Joe Cauchi, is-Sansun, in court yesterday.

According to Cauchi's statements in court, he had met Simon Busuttil in 2013 to report to him that Anthony Debono - husband of former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono - had not paid him for works he carried out at his requests. Busuttil allegedly asked him why he did not stop the works when it appeared that the Nationalists were not going to be re-elected.

"Considering that Busuttil is aspiring to become the leader of this country, such a statement is worrying," Labour deputy leader Toni Abela said during a press conference. "Almost a day has passed since the whistleblower's testimony and Simon Busuttil has remained silent."

Abela and parliamentary secretary Ian Borg said that Busuttil had been quick to react to Cauchi's testimony when it was still underway but has remained silent over this statement.

He pointed out that Cauchi's testimony was "consistent throughout" while Busuttil's version of events had changed.

Abela said that Busuttil's silence was deafening and that the Labour Party was interpreting such silence as a confirmation of the statement. He added that the PL was also interpreting the statement as an indication that the works would have gone on had the PN won the election.

Parliamentary secretary Ian Borg said that the PL had every right to ask Busuttil to react to the testimony, as the public was concerned about it as well.

"Does this mean that the racket would have continued had the PN  won the election?" Borg questioned.

Borg insisted that the PL was not accusing Busuttil of lying, but rather pointing out that contradictory statements have been put forward.

Asked whether the PL was calling for Busuttil's resignation, Abela said that it's up to Busuttil to decide according to his conscience: "The declaration in itself has serious consequences. The biggest judgement in politics is in the hall of public opinion."

Abela said that Cachia had always been clear that he had been tasked by Anthony Debono to carry out private works using public funds. "They were carried out up until the election. Is there anyone who has any doubts that they weren't carried out for some advantage?"