OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri this morning promised to file more libel suits against blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia following a blog post she uploaded last night.
“For over a year now I have been subject to a campaign of lies and character assassination. Today’s story is nothing but a rehashed story Daphne Caruana Galizia had already published on the 24th of May, 2016. So much for breaking news,” Mr Schembri writes on hos Facebook page.
Last night, Daphne Caruana Galizia wrote that Mr Schembri took kickbacks from Nexia BT’s Brian Tonna on the sale of Maltese citizenship.
Replying on Facebook, Mr Schembri said that “For months, Simon Busuttil has claimed that the FIAU has issued a report on me which has never been properly investigated. Clearly Simon Busuttil knows much more than I do as I have no knowledge, and cannot have knowledge of such investigation considering that the law precludes it. How Simon Busuttil would be privy to such information is beyond me and clearly indicates an intention to conspire with others to break the law. That is however his responsibility which he carries alone.
“I very serenely declare that if such report exists and if any investigation was ever carried on me by the FIAU, and what such investigation may have concluded, despite the preclusion in the law, can be presented by the relevant authorities to the Magistrate leading the Inquiry. I have already cooperated with the Inquiry and given my statement under oath, and will do so again if requested. It is telling that those who have been persisting in these campaign of lies have refused to appear before the Magistrate even though requested to do so in terms of the law.
“I remain focused on what’s important for people and the country - the creation of more wealth and quality jobs which allow us to improve people’s lives directly. The surplus announced yesterday is a testament to our work and endeavours.
“I shall not engage further in this cowardly campaign being carried forward by those who have nothing to offer and have lost hope that they can ever be trusted by the people to lead this country and their wellbeing and those of their children.
“I will however proceed with instituting further libels in the hope that the onslaught of lies and slander stops through the course of justice.
