Revelations that the Planning Authority (PA) was not involved in the Mriehel high rise building policy confirms direct political interference by the Government, the Nationalist Party said in a press release issued today.

“The PA’s admission is clear proof of the government’s political interference to carry out such a manoeuvre behind the peoples’ backs.

“This comes at a time which highlights the hypocrisy of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Parliamentary Secretary for Lands Deborah Schembri; on the one hand they speak about independence and transparency, while on the other hand they secretly manoeuvre – even after the consultation period has ended.”

The government is currently pushing a bill, spearheaded by Dr Schembri and Architect Robert Musumeci, on setting up an independent planning authority for the purpose of limiting inefficiencies, boosting transparency and curbing abuse.

“The Government’s decision on Mriehel is a clear example of Prime Minister Muscat’s hard-headedness; it not just that he refused to listen, but then made a complete u-turn. Should Dr Muscat wish to be taken seriously, he should stop being hard-headed and open up the public consultation process,” the PN statement concluded.