A police officer has been appointed chief officer at the Freeport, with a salary rise from €18,000 to €35,000, PN spokesperson Jason Azzopardi alleged in parliament tonight.

Dr Azzopardi said that despite having no experience in the field, the officer was appointed to this role because he complained to representatives of the government, and because he was close to the Labour Party. He added that prior to being appointed chief officer, he was given the role of ‘posting’ – to visit ministries to check that all is ok, a role that never existed before.

In another allegation, he said that the head of the customer care department within the Energy Ministry’s name is a police constable who is still a member of the police corp. His salary also reaches €30,000.   “What does Minister Abela have to say about this? Who approved of this?  How can the public regain trust in the police squad?” Dr Azzopardi questioned

Jason Azzopardi argued that following Manuel Mallia’s resignation, the government stressed that the police force needs to regain the public’s trust. The public’s trust that the police force works professionally, that no vindictive transfer takes place, that the truth does not remain hidden. But the Labour Party never learns, he said.

He said that representatives of the Labour Party met with members of the police force a few days before the 2013 general election, promising to pay their overtime arrears. This pledge was also listed in the PL’s manifesto, but until today not a single euro was paid, he said.