PM: No doubt in Galdes; investigation to be held after Azzopardi complaint

Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Wednesday that he saw no reason to dismiss Housing Minister Roderick Galdes since information the minister had handed him about his property dealings did not raise doubts on his source of funds. 

An investigation will however be held by the police as required after a request for an inquiry made by former PN MP Jason Azzopardi.

Abela also denied claims that any members of parliament were uncomfortable with the minister's deals, and insisted he enjoyed their support.

Galdes has been embroiled in controversy over a string of property acquisitions, some of them from contractors which also provide services to his ministry.

Last week, Times of Malta revealed Galdes bartered an apartment in Xagħra for a plot of land in Għarb that was being bought by property magnates Joseph Portelli, Mark Agius and Daniel Refalo.

The apartment was the second private deal Galdes struck with Excel Investments, the developers' company, as the minister had also secured a "bargain" penthouse and garage in Victoria, Gozo, this year from the same company.

Previously, Galdes told journalists he had "nothing to hide" and that his declaration of assets listed all the properties he owned.

Speaking on Wednesday, Abela said Galdes bought some of his properties before he became minister. He said the explanations Galdes had provided meant that there were no doubts about the source of his wealth. "So no one should feel uncomfortable."

Abela said he would let the police carry out their own investigations after Azzopardi filed a complaint with the police commissioner about "unexplained wealth".

When asked what Galdes provided as evidence, he said:

"He provided me with all the explanations needed for me to decide not to take any further action." 

Azzopardi's complaint detailed numerous properties Galdes either owns or has a financial interest in. 

Abela said Azzopardi's complaint was a "photocopy" of numerous inquiries he sought this time last year against Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri. Furthermore, Azzopardi's complaint was based on "speculation".

When pressed again over whether Galdes should resign, Abela said that had he found just one questionable point, he would have taken action. But he could  not base his actions on the "frivolous" arguments made by Azzopardi, given that his previous magisterial inquiries were "built on sand".

"My decisions are based on facts. The facts I have seen so far show there is no need for me to make a negative decision on Roderick Galdes," he said.