Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil today said that it is Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Gozo Minister Anton Refalo who have kept allegations regarding the works-for-votes investigation in Gozo hidden.
In a statement issued after the testimony of Joe Cauchi in the Gozo Court in the case against former minister Giovanna Debono's husband Anthony, Dr Busuttil said that what Mr Cauchi testified under oath "confirms my version of events as explained since I was first asked about my meeting with him in June 2013. I reiterate the following:
"Mr Joe Cauchi asked to see me soon after I was elected to the PN leadership in May 2013 (see email attached). During this meeting which was held in June 2013, he complained with me that he was still owed some money from the Gozo Ministry and was concerned that with the change of Government this would not be paid. I replied that there was no reason why financial commitments should not be kept simply because of a change in Government.
"During the meeting there was NO mention whatsoever of any ‘works for votes’ allegations. Had this been the case, I would have obviously replied that, if this was so, then no public money could be due for works performed in private property because this would amount to misuse of public funds.
"I have already made a statement to this effect in the media more than a month ago, Dr Busuttil said.
"The truth is that if there was anyone who knew about these allegations and kept them hidden it was Joseph Muscat and Anton Refalo. Joseph Muscat certainly knew because it is clear that the Labour Party disclosed these allegations to the media on the eve of the Local Council campaign in what is now a pattern that we all have become used to. Anton Refalo knew since, at least, last Summer. Neither Muscat nor Refalo explained why they kept this information to themselves and used it when it suited them rather than report it to the Police immediately," Dr Busuttil concluded.
Busuttil caught out after court testimony - PL
In a statement this evening, the PL said court evidence has uncovered what PN Leader Simon Busuttil has been trying to hide. The Labour Party said people now know that Simon Busuttil’s only reply to the whistleblower was to ask him why he continued with the works when he knew that that PN would lose the 2013 general election. This reply, the PL said, was shameful.
Dr Busuttil did not report the case to the police and took no action. For Simon Busuttil the problem was not the illegal works being carried out using public funds, which he was aware of, according to the witness, but that the racket was still taking place close to the PN’s electoral defeat, as if the scandal would have carried on if the PN had won that election.
The PL said it was no surprise that Dr Busuttil never took up the the challenge to say what the whistleblower had told him. Simon Busuttil is now responsible for his actions.