Tourism Minister defends PM’s decision to retain Konrad Mizzi, Keith Schembri

Mathias Mallia Saturday, 30 April 2016, 13:42 Last update: about 9 years ago

Minister for Tourism, Dr Edward Zammit Lewis unreservedly defended the Prime Minister’s decision to retain Konrad Mizzi in cabinet as a Minister and Keith Schembri as OPM chief of staff.

It is too early to judge the decision, he said, and there is still ample time in the coming two years to judge it based on the results of the projects which Dr Mizzi is responsible for, Dr Zammit Lewis said.

Dr Mizzi was relieved of the portfolios of energy and health in the wake of the Panama Papers scandal, after he admitted to having a company in Panama, but he retained the title of minister without portfolio. Schembri also admitted to having a company in Panama, but he remained in his position.

Dr Zammit Lewis said that contrary to what had been done by the PM, Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil had not taken any action against deputy leader Mario de Marco, who Dr Zammit Lewis said had only paid for works carried out by a contractor after the Panama Papers scandal erupted.

Parliamentary Secretary Deborah Schembri said that Dr Busuttil was clearly evasive to questions posed by the media

The opposition leader had first said that Dr de Marco’s receipts for the work on his property had been made public, but the next day avoided the question entirely retorting by asking the journalist why he was being so aggressive before walking away.

During an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, Dr de Marco showed this newspaper receipts for €34,000, including VAT, for services rendered. Dr de Marco told this newsroom that all the three cheques were made out after the invoice was sent in March, and that they have been cashed.

Dr Schembri pointed out that there is absolutely no proof of any intention to pay for the work done, adding that if Dr de Marco were to present anything including an e-mail correspondence of a text message asking for a bill, it would be enough.

When TMIS posed the same question as to whether there is any proof that he had asked for the invoice prior to 2015, he said, “There’s my word, my wife’s word and the architect can also confirm.”