Prime Minister Joseph Muscat should come clean on any negotiations “before the last general election” to allow Joe Gaffarena to operate an illegal petrol station in Qormi, the Nationalist Party said yesterday.
Addressing a press conference outside Castille, shadow minister for employment Therese Commodini Cachia claimed the Prime Minister had become a “hostage” to Mr Gaffarena.
“Joseph Muscat cannot continue to hide details about his relationship with Gaffarena,” she said.
Joseph Muscat cannot continue to hide details about his relationship with Gaffarena
The party renewed its calls for the resignation of Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon, who it said was “clearly and directly” involved in the Gaffarena scandal concerning a property in Old Mint Street, Valletta. Opposition spokesman Ryan Callus said various facts surrounding the requisition of an Old Mint Street property showed bad governance and misappropriation of public funds.
He said Opposition leader Simon Busuttil had shown the standards required in politics in his handling of former culture spokesman Joe Cassar, who resigned from Parliament on Tuesday, and the Prime Minister should now show that he was capable of doing the same.
Opposition spokesman Ryan Callus: Facts surrounding the Old Mint Street scandal.
• Michael Falzon enjoys a close friendship with Mark Gaffarena and travelled abroad with him.
• Mr Gaffarena met and spoke with Dr Falzon about the property in Old Mint Street before the deal took place.
• Mr Gaffarena visited the Land Department accompanied by an official from Dr Falzon’s office.
• Mr Gaffarena chose his own compensation instead of this being determined by the Land Department.
• The deal was two-fold – first a quarter of the property was purchased, then another quarter. This would have continued if not exposed.
• The government did not approach the other owners of the property; Mr Gaffarena was the only one dealt with.
• Mr Gaffarena received an enormous amount in compensation: €1.5 million according to the government but €3.5 million according to independent architects.
• The government has no use for the half of the property it acquired.
• The dealings were declared illegal by the Internal Audit and Investigations Department (IAID).
• Dr Falzon signed off on the deal with Mr Gaffarena.