Bank of Valletta has failed to reply to questions sent by The Malta Independent asking whether Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon was authorised to table in Parliament a list of people who benefitted from early retirement.

Last week, The Malta Independent reported that the list was taken from the bank’s private internal network, as can be clearly seen from the document’s URL.

Dr Falzon told parliament that the document in question is publicly available.

The bank information – dated 14 July 2015 - was either accessed directly by Dr Falzon or passed on to him.

Apart from the actual list of retirees tabled by Dr Falzon, the Parliamentary Secretary also said that the retirement package of two “Nationalist” employees was more favourable than his, seeing that he is a “Labourite.”

Dr Falzon left BOV in April 2014 when he was appointed to the Cabinet.

He benefited from a unique €260,000 early retirement package which was called “a hybrid solution to cater for the unique circumstances involved in the case” by BOV.

The document tabled in Parliament by Dr Falzon clearly shows the information was taken from BOV’s intranet, and appears to be an internal memo bidding farewell to seven employees retiring from the bank.

Asked in Parliament by Nationalist MP George Pullicino if the data presented is public, Dr Falzon assured that he knows the rules of bank secrecy.

He said the information is available on BOV’s website. A search on the bank’s website yields no such information.  The dates of birth of these seven employees were added on by hand.

On Friday, Nationalist MP Ryan Callus said Dr Falzon appears to have misled Parliament, and questioned whether BOV is investigating what appears to be a leak.

Mr Callus also questioned the tax-free quarter of a million lump sum given to Dr Falzon, saying that had Dr Falzon remained a bank employees he would be paying income tax.

Mr Callus said employees who are called to serve in public office are usually put on unpaid leave. 

Dr Falzon said he will be suing Mr Callus as well as some media houses for the “libellous” claims being made about him.

BOV justified the retirement package given to Dr Falzon after his golden handshake was made public.

It said the main aim was to free Dr Falzon, as a member of government, from any potential conflict of interest when taking executive decisions. 

He was also given the opportunity to return to the bank should he lose his position in government.