Speaker Anglu Farrugia told The Malta Independent that police assistance in the fuel consumption investigation regarding Simon Busuttil’s car was requested so that the actual amount of fuel being consumed could be clarified.

He said that the normal monthly reconciliation exercise used by the Accounts Section is what revealed the fuel consumption discrepancies.

 “The decision to refer the case to a magistrate was made by the police,” Dr Farrugia explained, stating that he got to know about it through an email by the Opposition.  He then contacted the Police Commissioner, and was told that through this procedure, independent experts could be appointed.

As for the revocation of the Opposition Leader’s driver’s suspension, he explained that till now no charges have been made against the driver, “and this is why I felt I did not need to adhere to Simon Busuttil’s request to suspend the driver”.

The Opposition Leader’s car is currently impounded, pending an investigation after evidence of fuel misuse was ‘found’.

Describing the chronology of events, Dr Farrugia said that the accounts section drew his attention to the fuel situation, where for a number of years the fuel entitlement was being completely used yet the odometer reading did not match up. “This is why I drew the Opposition Leader’s attention to the issue, who on his part fully cooperated so that a correct reading could be taken”.

It results that the mileage reading was in fact higher than what was given. Preliminary indications, however, show that the mileage still does not justify the amount of fuel consumed. “This is why I ordered more tests. The Opposition Leader was notified and provided information regarding the vehicle’s fuel consumption as well as the consumption rate of similar vehicles. Subsequently, I asked the police to clarify the actual fuel consumption amount of the vehicle in question”.