OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri this evening denied the accusations levelled against him by Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil

His statement is as follows:

I outright deny and refute completely that I have ever received any kickbacks from Brian Tonna or anyone for that matter.

Simon Busuttil has chosen, once again, to resort to blatant lies and attempt a frame up, in his lust for power, repeating allegations made by Daphne Caruana Galizia almost a year ago, on the 24th of May, 2016.

I positively welcome that Simon Busuttil shall be going to the Magistrate leading the Inquiry so that even in this case, the truth of the matter shall become known to all. Just as I will gladly face any questions put to me on the matter, so too will Simon Busuttil have to face legal consequences if the Magistrate determines that his accusations have been false.

As I have already been available over the last days I will readily make myself available again to answer any questions that the Magistrate may feel the need to ask me. 

For the record, Brian Tonna did settle a transaction of a loan for which the necessary evidence exists, which loan was made in 2012, and hence well before Labour entered Government and before the IIP scheme was conceived.

Similar and larger facilities were given by myself and my companies to Allied Newspapers and the Nationalist Party’s Media.link commercial arm.  One might expect Simon Busuttil now to assume I have been paid kickbacks by them too.

Obviously I will be proceeding with libel proceedings against Simon Busuttil and his media - it is a shame that this is the only tool I have to protect my name, however I shall be making full use of it to ensure that my name is cleared."

In a statement in reaction, the Nationalist Party said that the only way Schembri can defend himself is by continuing to lie. But lies are shortlived, the PN said.