Manfred Galdes, Director of Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit (FIAU), has resigned.
A Finance Ministry Official told The Malta Independent that the ministry was officially informed of Dr Manfred Galdes' resignation as Director of the FIAU by the Attorney General, acting in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit.
This newsroom asked the ministry for the reasons surrounding his resignation, for information regarding his replacement and for information as to when his resignation was submitted.
In response, the Ministry said that it is not aware of any reasons surrounding his resignation. "The Ministry is informed that Dr Galdes resigned his post at the FIAU to take up a post in private practice".
No other information was given.
The Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit is a government agency established under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. It is the entity responsible for the collection, collation, processing, analysis and dissemination of information with a view to combating money laundering and the funding of terrorism. The Unit is also responsible for monitoring compliance with the relevant legislative provisions.
Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who broke the story earlier today, said that the FIAU under Galdes leadership investigated the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Keith Schembri as well as Minister Konrad Mizzi in their "secret offshore dealings in the British Virgin Islands, Gibralter, Cyprus and Panama".
She also says that last April former Police Commissioner Michael Cassar met with Mr Galdes, and Mr Galdes presented the results of the FIAU investigation.
In a statement, the Nationalist Party said that Galdes’ resignation is quite serious and places more pressure on the Prime Minister regarding the secret Panama companies held by Dr Mizzi and Mr Schembri.
It called on the government to explain the reason behind the resignation of Mr Galdes.
The Government criticised the PN for its “irresponsible” statement, adding that the FIAU is a totally independent institution.
Such comments come in the form of a statement issued this afternoon, where it said that the government was informed of the resignation after it took place, adding that Mr Galdes appeared to step down after accepting a post in the private sector.
Government stressed that Mr Galdes did not provide reasoning behind his resignation, and that he never spoke of the allegation being levelled by the PN.
It reiterated the claim that the Government did not in any way interfere with the FIAU or the investigation.
"The chairman of the FIAU is the Attorney General. If the Leader of the Opposition has any doubts about him, he should make them public immediately," the government said.