Marco Gaffarena has refused to give his comments to this newsroom following the Prime Minister's statement yesterday, that the Gaffarena property deal would be reversed.

This newsroom wanted to ask for his comments on the situation, whether he planned to fight the decision and for his comments on the collusion between Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon, the Director General of the GPD, the Director of Estate Management and himself, mentioned in the NAO report.

Mr Gaffarena, however, said "I have nothing to say". He proceeded to say "don't ask me anything as I'm not going to say anything. Hang up".

The National Audit Office report into the Old Mint Street deal, published yesterday, found that that former Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon, the Director General (DG) GPD and Director Estate Management (DEM) failed to safeguard the government's interest by expropriating property belonging to Mark Gaffarena in Old Mint street which, although useful, served no identified public purpose.

"The NAO is of the opinion that this expropriation was instigated by Gaffarena, yet readily facilitated by the PS OPM, DG GPD and DEM. The NAO deems such collusive action as highly inappropriate, in clear breach of the fundamental principles of good governance, transparency and fairness."