Opposition leader demands answers over Mifsud's appointment as Central Bank governor

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil is demanding answers from Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and the government over allegations surrounding the Central Bank governor-designate, Alfred Mifsud.

Busuttil was speaking to members of the press following a visit at Ozone, a company that provides telephony and business-grade solutions.

“It is shocking that the new Governor is facing serious allegations of corruption,” Busuttil said. “These reports cannot go ignored and should be investigated.”

The same issue was raised in parliament last night by opposition MP Kristy Debono. Finance Minister Edward Scicluna that all appointments “in sensitive posts” are taken seriously and that the “necessary due diligence will take place”.

Busuttil said that, if an investigation is indeed taking place, the government should make a public statement and state whether the appointment will go ahead as if nothing were.

Mifsud, currently deputy governor, is set to take on the new post on July 1.

“The opposition is expecting a clear answer,” Busuttil said.

Malta Independent columnist Daphne Caruana Galizia alleged that Mifsud had taken close to €350,000 form a businessman when he was chairman of the Mid Med Bank between 1996 and 1998.

Contacted by MaltaToday for a reaction, Mifsud had said: “These allegations are strongly denied as fruit of revenge garbage from a personal failed relationship and attempts to torpedo my next appointment. Raising 18-year-old garbage on the even of an important appointment speaks for itself as to motivations.”

During his comments to the press, Busuttil also complained about journalists from the Labour media of hounding PN MP Toni Bezzina at his office at the Transport Ministry.

Bezzina has lost two libel cases against il-Kulhadd and l-Orizzont over reports that he used government workers under his supervision to carry out private works at a PN party club.

Bezzina was also accused of forcing the workers to make a false declaration.

“It is obscene that the government allows the media to behave this way,” Busuttil said.

Busuttil, who last year said he would wait for the outcome of the libels before deciding what action to take against Bezzina, will now await the outcome of the appeal.