Allied Newspapers managing director denies blogger's allegations

The managing director of Allied Group, publishers of The Times and The Sunday Times of Malta, has denied graft accusations  made in his regard by blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia.

On Sunday, Hillman issued a statement denying any wrongdoing and also said that he hoped that the "truth will prevail".

"As a private person I am unused to the unwarranted attention I have been subjected to over the past few days," Hillman said. 

"I have refrained for entering the public debate with a view to safeguarding the integrity of the institution I work for. 

"However I now feel it's a must that I set the record straight. While it is now clear that at no point have I influenced the editors of Times of Malta, as I have already declared with the Board of Directors, I deny all other allegations made in my regard and am hopeful that the truth will prevail." 

In her blog, the Malta Independent columnist claimed that OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri had paid kickbacks to Hillman "for years on purchases made by the Allied Group of Companies from his business Kasco Group".

Schembri has also categorically denied the allegations: “It is clear that there are people who cannot get at me politically and are trying to do so by hitting, through lies and deceit, my commercial interests.”