Busuttil can’t ignore Fenech’s access to confidential info from former aide – PL

The Labour Party is insisting that Opposition leader Simon Busuttil is refusing to take action on his former shadow finance minister Tonio Fenech’s solicitation of information from public officials, who were part of a Google Group that advised Fenech.

Referring to reports in l-Orizzont, Labour said that Fenech had asked his former communications officer Keith Zahra, to use his new position within the Malta Financial Services Authority to reveal information about a foreign company operating in Malta that was reported in the foreign press to be cutting its workforce.

“There is palpable evidence showing that Fenech asked Zahra to supply him with information from the banking unit of the MFSA. The unit in question is entrusted with confidential information,” Labour said.

The emails published in l-Orizzont shows that Fenech asked Zahra to endeavour in finding out more about the company under the pretence that he required it as part of his job.

“This is a clear indication that Fenech was not looking for information that was in the public domain, and that he had asked Zahra to access information he would only have access to due to his privileged position.”

Labour said Nationalist Party now had all the necessary information in hand showing that Fenech had acted in an unacceptable manner.

“Busuttil is simply failing another credibility test by avoiding a decision on Fenech’s behaviour,” Labour said.

In the Google group, Fenech would liaise with the statistics chief of the Central Bank, Chris Pace, MFSA communications chief Keith Zahra and Carlos Camenzuli from the NSO. Zahra was responsible for public relations when Fenech was finance minister until 28 January 2013, when he was employed by the MFSA. Camenzuli on the other hand saw his contract with NSO extended on the 28 February 2013, only a week prior to the general elections.

Others involved in the group included Colin Calleja, Fenech’s former private secretary, PN consultant Lawrence Zammit, the former public relations officer for Austin Gatt, Jes Saliba and current PN communications chief Matthew Bonnett.   

The group advised Fenech on the decisions taken by the Labour government and the preferable course of action for the opposition.

Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil later reshuffled his shadow cabinet, removing Fenech from the shadow finance portfolio. Fenech is currently part of the group of spokespeople for foreign affiars under MEP Roberta Metsola.