What the Sunday papers say…

MaltaToday says an internal investigation has been launched after police discovered crucial extracts were deleted from a police report confirming Scottish driver Stephen Smith was driving under the influence. In an exclusive story, MaltaToday reveals that the deletions were made from the original computer record and could provide the reason why Smith is yet to be arraigned for driving under the influence.

In another story, MaltaToday’s survey shows that 39% of respondents want under fire home affairs minister Manuel Mallia to resign after the shooting incident of Wednesday 19 November involving his driver and police constable Paul Sheehan. The newspaper also reveals that Malta Independent columnist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia is being told to pay €101,000 in unpaid VAT.

Sunday newspaper Illum says nine former Nationalist ministers have retained almost €1 million of their honoraria increase claimed through the €500 weekly increase in 2008. The newspaper says the former ministers include amongst others PN deputy leader Mario de Marco, and shadow ministers George Pullicino, Jason Azzopardi and Chris Said.

On the front page, the Sunday newspaper quotes Labour MP Marlene Farrugia in saying that if she were in Manuel Mallia’s shoes she would resign. The outspoken MP also said that she would resign pending the outcome of the magisterial inquiry.

The Sunday Times of Malta says bullet casing from shots fired by home affairs minister’s driver Paul Sheehan were removed from the crime scene before forensic officers arrived on the scene.

The Malta Independent on Sunday says the records of a car that blocked the helipad at St Luke’s Hospital when a medical evacuation from Gozo was to take place last August have disappeared.

It-Torca quotes GWU general secretary Tony Zarb in blaming the former Nationalist administration for letting precarious work take root, saying that it is now “hypocritical” of the Opposition to talk about precarious work and exploitation.

Nationalist organ il-mument says the Office of the Prime Minister was involved in a cover-up following the shooting incident.

Kullhadd says former Nationalist ministers have retained almost €100,000 each of their honoraria raise, with each only returning €20,000.