OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri (above, centre) has refused to release any evidence relating to alleged payments he made to former Allied Newspapers Ltd. managing director Adrian Hillman (above, right) and alleged kickbacks he received from Nexia BT’s Brian Tonna (above, left).

Mr Schembri, responding to questions emailed by this newsroom about any potential business he had with Mr Hillman, any potential gifts, and whether he is willing to publish any invoices / evidence pertaining to the latest allegations, and those allegations regarding Brian Tonna, said: “The matter you are enquiring about concerns private business carried out prior to my entry into public office, which business is documented, declared and tax paid thereon. Your paper has covered the issue extensively last year (referring to articles this newsroom published in relation to the Panama Papers). Allied Newspapers have also commissioned an Internal Inquiry which for reasons known only to them, they have chosen not to publish.”

Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil on Friday went to Magistrate Aaron Bugeja with eight box files of evidence on the alleged payments by Keith Schembri to Adrian Hillman, amounting to more than €650,000. Both Schembri and the former Times managing director deny the accusations.

The issue, Mr Schembri also said, is now before a Magistrate, “with whom I shall collaborate in full to expose the witch hunt being carried out by Simon Busuttil for dangerous partisan purposes.”

The Malta Independent also asked Mr Schembri whether he would again accept to be the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff if PL Leader Joseph Muscat wins the coming election and were to ask him to serve. “I think it would be premature to speculate especially before the Maltese people have declared themselves with their vote on the 3rd of June. Any and all decisions that may be taken about a new Government are all subservient to the supreme will of the people expressed through their vote.”

PM Joseph Muscat has constantly refused to tell the electorate whether he intends to appoint Keith Schembri as his Chief of Staff if he wins the election.

Dr Muscat told this newspaper yesterday that he doesn’t believe that allegations on Schembri and Hillman have anything to do with government business. "Its private business and it is prior to Keith Schembri being my Chief of Staff. I believe it was duly investigate by the Times. In fact the Times found nothing wrong in an inquiry by Judge Bonello so I think they have all the facts and should publish those facts.”