Updated | Gonzi, Muscat trade blows over ‘Austin’ emails

OPM issues statement reacting to Labour leader’s doubts on role of political class in kickbacks allegations.

Minister Austin Gatt was named in correspondence between an oil trader and Trafigura.
Minister Austin Gatt was named in correspondence between an oil trader and Trafigura.

The Office of the Prime Minister has lambasted a "partisan" commentary by Labour leader Joseph Muscat, who has called on Lawrence Gonzi to shed light on the proximity of oil trader George Farrugia to the political class.

Muscat was referring to reports in the Sunday Times that shows that Farrugia, who has been recommended for a presidential pardon so that he turns State's witness, had meetings with transport minister Austin Gatt and that this was also known to commodities firm Trafigura, whom Farrugia represented in Malta.

Trafigura is believed to have paid commissions to government officials like Frank Sammut, a former chief executive of MOBC and a consultant to Enemalta, for the supply of oil to Enemalta.

"Muscat's was a partisan speech," the OPM said in a statement. "It was a speech that does not aid the fight against corruption. The government is fighting corruption concretely and has decided to give a pardon [to George Farrugia].

"This government expects that if Muscat has information on the case, he should apss it on to the police for investigation - that is how corruption is fought."

On its part, Labour said the statement by "Gonzi's caretaker government" was an insult to the public's intelligence.

"Instead of taking action or giving some form of explanation after a key minister was mentioned in email correspondence between an oil trader who has been given a presidential pardon, and a major commodities firm, Gonzi has chosen to attack Joseph Muscat," the PL said in a statement.

"Gonzi today avoided talking about the pardon and the latest developments in which Austin Gatt has been mentioned. Some of these emails published have used the initials A.G. and 'Aust'. Instead of hiding, Gonzi should answer for the actions of his minister when he was responsible for Enemalta, and for his political appointees who took the decision to buy €1 million worth of oil every day, and on which commissions were paid."

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I wish to take part in the competition of 'Guess what initial A.G. are' sponsored by the Ministry of Dott. Austin Gatt. My guess is as good as yours but I'll give it a try. Addio Gonzi.
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It seems that lot of people had their hands in the black gold.We need to pass the Whistle Blower act urgently before election.
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What L S did looks amateurish when compared to the corruption that is happening now.
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Iz-zejt tieghla f'wicc l-ilma! U dan ghadu biss il-bidu. Mhux ta' b'xejn tal-PN imwerrwrin bil-prospett ta' Gvern Laburista nhar l-10 ta' Marzu. Imwerrwrin ghax jafu li l-hmieg kollu ta' dawn l-ahhar snin KOLLU jinkixef. Ara x'gej! Mill-bqija haga wahda baqghali xi nghid lill-apologisti Nazzjonalisti: Tick, Tock. Tick, Tock. Tick, Tock....
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I honestly hope that "Transparency and Justice" will reign with "ONE AND ALL". The proof of the pudding is in the eating Dr Lawrence Gonzi and Dr Joseph Muscat.
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The OPM cannot say it better. Where is the WBA? - However the OPM should never said if Muscat has information should come foward. Funny! - What abour Austin Gatt?