The Labour Party will continue to release taped conversations of Communications Minister Censu Galea admitting he had no control over the operations of the Malta Transport Authority until Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi investigates and rectifies the matter, said Opposition Leader Alfred Sant yesterday.

Dr Sant was speaking during an MLP news conference where another five recorded conversations featuring Dr Galea were played for the media. Dr Sant said the MLP released recordings last week, yet the matter was only dealt with arrogantly on the part of the Prime Minister.

Dr Sant said that in the recordings, Minister Censu Galea was heard saying he could not trust anyone in the ADT and that there was a “web of corruption” (“brimba” and “xibka ta’ korruzzjoni”).

Dr Sant said it was quite clear that when he was responsible for the ADT, Minister Galea could not cope and could not rectify the situation. “Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi should have spoken on this matter that concerns an active member of his cabinet. But when our whip, Joe Mizzi, asked questions in Parliament, he refused to answer them and also authorised the PN benches not to give any answers on the matter,” said Dr Sant.

Dr Sant continued: “It is clear to see that arrogance does not only affect PN ministers, it has also got to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi. We, the MLP, demand an explanation.”

He also referred to stories in the local media in which ADT chairman Gianfranco Selvaggi admitted that the people to whom Mr Galea was referring were still in their posts.

Before airing the tapes, Dr Sant said the MLP was focusing only on what Mr Galea had said and that names and expletives had been dubbed over.

Dr Sant said the Prime Minister was duty-bound, by the Constitution, to ensure that the matter was tackled. He also drew comparisons to the Watergate scandal and said that the recordings that led to the resignation of then US President Richard Nixon were made at the White House, and not simply lifted from the agent concerned, “Deep Throat”.

In one of the recordings, Mr Galea is heard saying that all the 50-strong staff at the ADT were there for nothing as no one did their job. He also said the general manager did not fulfil his duties and that “No one is doing their job.”

In another recording, Mr Galea was heard saying that he would not accept cubicled offices so that those who were acting irregularly (“jaghmlu l-kummiedji”) would have to do it in front of all and sundry.

In other conversations, the minister was heard saying that he needed help to get rid of people’s scheming. He was also heard saying that he knew that the staff were not idiots and that they would testify falsely for each other if they were ever brought to the witness stand.

Taking questions from the floor following the conference, Dr Sant said the MLP was taking this matter to the top. “We want to make sure that this country’s cabinet is capable of doing its job. Mr Galea was responsible and he has to carry the burden.”

He also said that the MLP would forward the tapes to the Prime Minister if he so requested. “He has not asked us yet. We will continue to release recordings until he does something about this situation,” said Dr Sant.

Asked why the MLP was focusing more on the issue of chasing Minister Galea rather than pressing the new minister in charge for change within the ADT, Dr Sant said: “The orders come from the top. The people in cabinet are in charge, so that is who we must chase.” He also said the MLP would be ready to go for a clean sweep if needs be when it is elected to office.

Meanwhile in a statement, Minister Galea categorically denied all allegations made against him by Dr Sant.

Mr Galea said that it was quite clear that in this smear campaign, Dr Sant had decided to defend Anglu Debono, the person who provided copies of the recordings.

Mr Galea also said that he felt it was time to reveal that Mr Debono was found guilty of breaching work conditions by the ADT Disciplinary Board. He was found guilty of not doing his duty and of not sticking to orders.

During this process, said Mr Galea, Mr Debono sought refuge from him (the minister), but he in turn told him that he would not defend him for not doing his duty.

He said that it seemed that Mr Debono had been given refuge by Dr Sant, who was trying to defend him by releasing sound bytes of the recordings. The minister said these recordings cast no dark shadow over him as he made sure that the necessary action was taken to address the various irregularities that were taking place.

Mr Galea said that Dr Sant was organising pathetic listening comprehensions and asked the following questions: What are Dr Sant’s real motives in this case? Why is Dr Sant defending Mr Debono? Why is he hiding the charges pressed against Mr Debono? Why does he not admit that it is Anglu Debono? Why is he defending a person who was found guilty of various irregularities by the ADT Disciplinary Board?

The Opposition Leader can never be credible when he is defending a person found guilty of various irregularities at work, instead of sticking up for the person who made sure that the necessary action was taken, said Dr Galea. In a parting shot, he said: “Instead, he is in cahoots with this person in an effort to launch a smear campaign.”