The Nationalist Opposition does not exclude asking the Public Accounts Committee to take up a suggestion by former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to investigate why no action was taken against George Farrugia's brothers while Manuel Mallia was Home Affairs Minister. Dr Mallia had previously represented them in a legal capacity as their lawyer.

Dr Gonzi appeared for the second time before the PAC last week. For the second time in a row, the government members on the committee grilled him about his alleged "familiarity" with Cathy Farrugia and her husband, rogue oil trader George Farrugia.

At one point, irritated by the PL MPs' line of questioning, Dr Gonzi challenged the committee to also look into the fact that George Farrugia's brothers were never arraigned while Manuel Mallia was the Minister in charge of the police. Dr Gonzi noted that the team investigating the oil scandal had wanted to arraign the Farrugia brothers but failed to do so while Manuel Mallia was minister.

"This committee should investigate everything, including all the strange happenings. Then-Assistant Commissioner Michael Cassar told this same committee a few weeks ago that he intended to arraign the Farrugia brothers. He had taken that decision and had informed his superiors, but Michael Cassar was taken off the investigation on 12 April, 2013, the same day on which John Rizzo was forced to resign as Police Commissioner. He was replaced by Peter Paul Zammit. On 10 July, another investigating officer, Angelo Gafa, was also transferred out of the secret service, away from the case. Peter Paul Zammit was replaced by Ray Zammit on 3 July, 2014. On 9 December, Manuel Mallia was dismissed and three days later Michael Cassar was appointed Police Commissioner. He gave an interview on the same day and announced that charges would be levelled against the Farrugia brothers. I do not like these coincidences at all and I think that this committee should investigate them."

Contacted by this paper, the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, former Finance Minister Tonio Fenech, explained that there are four options for this avenue to be pursued.

Four options

"The first option is for the Auditor General to take it upon himself to investigate the matter. On the other hand, the PAC could ask him to investigate. If not all the committee members agree, a minimum of three could ask the Auditor General to investigate. The fourth option is for the PAC to ask the Police Commissioner to investigate."

Since he was the Minister responsible for Enemalta during part of the period under review, Mr Fenech is not chairing PAC meetings whenever the subject is oil procurement. PN MP Jason Azzopardi is chairing the meetings in his stead.

When contacted by this paper, Dr Azzopardi said the Opposition does not exclude asking the committee to take up Dr Gonzi's challenge and investigate the matter.

"At this stage noting is excluded but ideally the request would be made only after Dr Gonzi finishes testifying before the committee."

Dr Azzopardi said that, since the PAC has already gone well beyond the terms of the Auditor General's report, which is on oil procurement and not on the alleged familiarity between Dr Gonzi and the Farrugias, it "could be significant for the committee to also look into this state of facts".