Invoices sent to db Group-linked firms by Media.Link Communications were related to programme sponsorship, the Nationalist Party insisted today. 

Owen Bonnici at today's press conference. Photo: PL

The PN was rebutting claims made by Justice Minister Owen Bonnici, who in a press conference earlier in the day had said that Sky Gourmet, which provides catering services to airlines, had no advertising on PN-owned media channels. 

Claims that invoices were issued to db Group subsidiary Sky Gourmet were first published by Malta Today. 

The Labour Party has accused the PN of breaching party financing laws, after businessman Silvio Debono claimed that the PN had solicited €70,800 in donations to cover the salaries of two top officials and asked for invoices to be fixed through its media arm Media.Link. 

The PN has denied the claim and said that the money was part of a 'commercial relationship' between Media.Link and db Group-linked firms. 

Speaking earlier today, Dr Bonnici said that the involvement of Sky Gourmet proved that the invoices were both false and illegal, having been issued in another company's name to remain hidden. He accused PN leader Simon Busuttil of hypocrisy, saying that he had failed to live up to his proclamations about good governance and transparency.

In its rebuttal, the PN turned the accusation on Dr Bonnici, saying that he was trying to distract attention from the fact that the PL was the only local party to have breached party financing laws.