“I can assure you that there was no form of corruption,” Economy Minister Chris Cardona told journalists, regarding his decision to alter recommendations by the Privatisation Unit after a Sunday newspaper revealed that he had personally intervened to change the result of a selection process of a legal firm to assist the unit.

He was replying to journalists’ questions - in the light of the Whistleblower Act Parliament approved - over his Privatisation Unit interference ‘corruption scandal’ suggestion and comments made that he would look into who was behind the leaked e-mails to the press tied to his decision.

Dr Cardona said that the only ‘scandal’ he is aware of is the “significant number of direct orders issued by Enemalta during the previous legislature”.

On Monday, the minister admitted to have intervened in a call for the provision of legal services stating that he wanted to ensure transparency, since the criteria used for the selection by the Privatisation Unit were different to those adopted by the new administration.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat defended Dr Cardona’s involvement, stating that a fundamental mistake being made with regard to Dr Cardona’s involvement in a matter the Privatisation Unit was looking into, is that the procedure involved was not a tender but an Expression of Interest.

He said that he believed the Privatisation Unit should not have been involved since this was not a tender and he feels the government should have clarified this beforehand.

Dr Cardona, who had just concluded a visit to the Life Sciences Park in San Gwann this morning, did point out however that the Civil Service has a code of ethics to adhere to, referring to the leaked information to the press tied to the results of the classification made by the Privatisation Unit.

On the Life Sciences Park, Dr Cardona said that structural works are to be finalised by the end of the year, however the project is to be fully completed by October 2014.

He pointed out that some changes have been made to the original plans “to the better”, referring to the cheaper rent fees of the park's facilities for both local and international investors, "to enhance competitiveness".

He said that Malta Enterprise embarked on a campaign to attract foreign investors to set up shop within the state-of-the-art facilities to carry out research through the use of laboratories.

Mario Vella, Malta Enterprise chairman, said that until now, 15 investors, mostly foreign, had expressed interest and that negotiations are underway.

“We are banking on the fact that the structural works are finalised by the end of this year so that potential investors can view the premises and an agreement reached," Dr Vella said.