George Farrugia's pardon in the oil procurement investigation had been necessary for the police to build their cases, former investigator Angelo Gafa said this evening.

Insp. Gafa, who was part of the team leading the investigations until he moved to the Security Services last year, is currently being questioned by the Public Accounts Committee which is this evening continuing its investigation into oil procurement practices.

He said when asked that George Farrugia had repeatedly refused to reply to any incriminating questions before the pardon was granted.

He said he believed the pardon had been necessary as it helped the police close their case against a number of people.

Insp. Gafa said he believed Mr Farrugia had told the truth because he was always consistent in what he said.

Mr Farrugia, Insp. Gafa said, used to bribe Enemalta officials with the full knowledge and consent of all but one of his brothers. He said that before he was transferred out of the Economic Crimes Unit he had suggested that they face corruption charges together with others.

He said that the police had interrogated or interviewed several people including former minister Austin Gatt and Opposition MP Tonio Fenech.

While Dr Gatt had just been interviewed, Mr Fenech had been interrogated because the fact that he had been given a clock had been mentioned. He had released a statement.

Insp. Gafa told the committee he had subsequently seen the clock, which was battery operated, at Mr Fenech's house. Power plan had paid Agnes Farrugia, who crafted the clock, Lm500.

Insp Gafà explained that while anyone suspected of a criminal offence was interrogated in the presence of their lawyer, interviews were for people who it was thought could help. Tancred Tabone started out with an interview, then became a suspect and was interrogated.

He said when asked that the police had not sent for former chairman Alex Tranter, who was the chairman following Mr Tabone, because Mr Farrugia had insisted he did not bribe anyone else following Mr Tabone's chairmanship.

He showed the police receipts for extraordinary gifts, but they could never be tied to any of the accused people’s decisions. The Constitutional Court had disallowed the evidence because the gifts had been given before decisions, not after.

The police did not have any reason, at the time, to send for Mr Tranter.

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