The National Auditor’s Office has said that it investigates every allegation made about any official who works at NAO so that the professionalism and integrity of the work it carries out is safeguarded.
Replying to a series of questions from this newspaper following allegations made by Labour MP Michael Falzon, a spokesperson for the NAO said that the results of every internal investigation carried out and the actions that the NAO would take are treated in a confidential manner.
In a Facebook post, MP Michael Falzon wrote that a certain Antoine Calleja, who is allegedly politically involved with the Nationalist Party, works at the NAO. Dr Falzon, who posted Calleja’s photo with Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi, called for the NAO to launch an investigation.
In a separate post written later, the Labour Party MP said that the NAO is investigating this particular worker, because there is no other way out as the man’s photo was posted on social media.
“I only hope that if an investigation is launched, it is conducted by independent individuals and not by people who are politically motivated,” Dr Falzon writes.
In its reply, a spokesperson for the NAO said that one of the core values of this office is its independence and neutrality, away from all partisan politics. “This is very clearly stipulated in the Code of Professional Conduct, which every employee at the NAO has to abide by. It is of paramount importance that this office ensures professional and ethical conduct.
“Although everyone is entitled to a political opinion, none of our employees can participate in political activities. Such behaviour would be completely incompatible with the autonomy and independence of the office.” In fact, according to the NAO, every employee who participates in a political activity will face disciplinary action.
Former Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon, who was compelled to resign his post following the Gaffarena expropriation scandal, had lashed out at the NAO during a Public Accounts Committee grilling. He had insisted that the NAO report on the Gaffarena case was the result of a “political witch hunt”.
Dr Falzon had also criticized the report for failing to dwell on the role of Joseph Spiteri, the architect who carried out the valuation of property. “This report is an ethical and professional blasphemy,” he told the Committee.
This newsroom asked the spokesperson if Antoine Calleja was questioned following Falzon’s allegations, but the questions remained unanswered.