Updated | PN accuses Speaker of sensationalism following launch of fuel inquiry

The Nationalist Party has accused Speaker Anglu Farrugia of “sensationalism” following the launch of a magisterial inquiry into the fuel consumed by Simon Busuttil’s car.

It reiterated that the timing was “too much of a coincidence” – even though Farrugia said that instructions were given “well before the Opposition presented its motion” and “well before the publication of the good governance report”.

In a statement issued this morning, Farrugia rubbished suggestions that a parliamentary accounts investigation into the official car used by the Opposition leader was the result of some sort of revenge.

Busuttil has stopped short of calling the fuel consumption investigation ‘political vindictiveness’ but claimed that it was “a strange coincidence” that he learned of a magisterial inquiry a day after his party launched a good governance report.
The PN leader also said that it came hot on the heels of a motion presented by the Opposition in protest to a Speaker’s ruling.

Anglu Farrugia reiterated that Busuttil had been informed immediately of the investigation and thanked him for his full cooperation. The Speaker went on to add that the decision to launch a magisterial inquiry was taken by the Police.

In its reaction, the PN said Busuttil himself had confirmed that his office had fully collaborated with Parliament.

It went on to ask why questions were raised only now, when the car has been in use for the past two years and a half. The PN also said that Busuttil was never informed that the Police were investigating the case.

“One would have expected the Speaker to inform the Opposition leader,” it said.

Busuttil expressed his regret that he only got to know of the magisterial inquiry “through the grapevine” and would have expected the Speaker to inform him. On his part, the Speaker said that he learnt of the launch of the magisterial inquiry from a letter Busuttil sent him, requesting the suspension of his driver.

It is not exactly clear what the alleged wrongdoing is, and a magisterial inquiry has been launched to investigate how fuel consumed by Busuttil’s official car did not match the mileage registered. Allegations of "discrepancies" found between fuel consumption and mileage registered have surfaced.