The application for the legal warrant of former police inspector David Gatt, who was charged in court last week over his alleged involvement in a series of high profile robberies, was endorsed by a Labour MP, The Sunday Times has learnt.
When contacted yesterday, Chris Cardona admitted the former inspector had undertaken legal practice with his firm prior to obtaining his warrant, which is standard practice for students aspiring to work in the courts.
“I signed the recommendation for him to obtain the warrant. The recommendation is a simple declaration to certify that the prospective lawyer actually did the required time with a legal office to be able to obtain the warrant,” Dr Cardona said.
The news comes a day after the PL – which had been attacked by the Nationalist Party for accepting Dr Gatt as a delegate in spite of long-standing allegations of criminal activity – responded by saying “using the PN’s argument... the Justice Minister should never have issued him with his warrant to practise as a lawyer”.
The PL statement, however, made no reference to Dr Gatt’s warrant application being signed by one of its MPs.
Before a warrant is issued, the application must be signed by two judges who attest to a potential lawyer’s qualifications and competence as well as by a practising lawyer who has overseen the work of the candidate.
According to the law governing the appointment of lawyers, a qualified individual can only be denied a legal warrant or have it revoked if he is convicted of a crime that carries a minimum one-year prison sentence.
Dr Gatt was never charged with an offence in spite of allegations by then Police Commissioner George Grech that he had befriended criminals.
When asked why he had taken Dr Gatt on board despite having been dismissed from the police force in 2001, Dr Cardona said no alarm bells were ringing because Dr Gatt was never charged.
“If there were alarm bells, the authorities would not have given him his warrant either,” Dr Cardona said.
He also denied the former inspector was employed by his firm RCSM Legal.
“Dr Gatt was self-employed and occupied office space in our building. His clients were his own and he even used his own legal procurator,” Dr Cardona said.
While insisting that Dr Gatt was presumed innocent until proven guilty, Dr Cardona said he was “saddened and surprised” by what had happened.
“It is still a long process. I am not his lawyer and I will not judge him. It is up to the courts to evaluate the facts and the elements involved in the case,” Dr Cardona said.
However, the Labour MP did say he was bothered by what he described as “certain coincidences”.
“Did the police have to wait for the moment when Dr Gatt was in the court’s register just about to file a case against the Police Commissioner to arrest him? It simply gives me a bad vibe,” Dr Cardona said.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com
The Sunday Times