Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil said that it is no wonder the Prime Minsiter chose to replace former Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia with Dr Konrad Mizzi, when considering that plans changed for the Gozo General Hospital, which underwent a Public Private Partnership scheme.

He said that the Prime Minister was disturbed when asked whether Vitals Global Healthcare, the company that bought a minority stake in Gozo general hospital, has an account with Pilatus Bank. Dr Busuttil urged investigations into whether this is indeed the case.

In an address preceding the Opposition Leader’s, Dr Farrugia revealed that the hospital was intended to be revamped using EU funds, plans changed however and a Public Private Partnership scheme was chosen instead. This led to the part privatisation of Gozo General Hospital, with Vitals Global Healthcare buying a minority shareholding.

Controversy arose when the government finally published this contract but it was heavily redacted. Dr Busuttil was addressing a political activity outside of the PN headquarters as part of their last marathon fundraising event before the 3 June snap election.

Making reference to Dr Farrugia’s statement about the Gozo hospital and EU funds, Dr Busuttil said in hindsight it is no surprise that Dr Farrugia was removed from his position as PL Health Minister only to be replaced by Minister Konrad Mizzi. He was insinuating that since Dr Mizzi was linked with the Panama Papers scandal, and therefore has had his reputation tarnished, it is no surprise he would be placed as Health Minister to oversee the controversial part privatisation which sold off part of the hospital.

Dr Busuttil urged journalists to investigate whether Vitals has a bank account with Pilatus Bank.

Pilatus Bank is at the centre of the Egrant scandal, where it has been alleged that transactions were made through the bank to Egrant Inc, a Panama company allegedly belonging to the Prime Minister’s wife Michelle Muscat and has been categorically denied.

Dr Busuttil made reference to The Malta Independent’s revelations about kickbacks received by Dr Mizzi and Mr Schembri through the introduction of the controversial LNG tanker in Birzebuga bay.

The FIAU released a statement to say that the report as quoted by this newsroom was not conclusive. Dr Busuttil challenged the FIAU to conclude their report, and remarked that it is astonishing that the Prime Minister’s two closest men are the subject of a damning FIAU report, whether it has been concluded or not, and the PM refuses to remove them.

Dr Busuttil said that a scheme made by the PN, whereby people are able to purchase a mosaic piece for €500 apiece in order to complete the phrase ‘come on Nationalists’, a phrase from the PN’s former theme song, has generated €1 million.

He made reference to the PN’s energy proposals which were detailed earlier in the day.

Lawyer Gianella de Marco, sister of PN deputy leader Mario de Marco said that like the choice before Malta in 2003 for the EU referendum was a case of choosing Malta beyond a party, the choice for the upcoming election is the same.

She said that this was the case due to the rampant corruption that has taken hold of Malta, and the ensuing damage to the island’s reputation.

Former PL whip and minister Godfrey Farrugia said he is in favour of decisions being taken in the interest of Malta. Referring to the Prime Minister’s chief of staff Keith Schembri and Minister Konrad Mizzi without naming them, he said that Dr Muscat’s statement where he said that he could not remove the pair because he needed them by his side shows how decisions have not been taken in the interest of Malta.

Dr Mizzi and Mr Schembri held a Panama company each sheltered by trusts in New Zealand. The scandal brought negative attention to Malta for the aforementioned men’s role in the international Panama Papers scandal.

He slammed the part privatisation of Gozo General Hospital, saying that health care would be taken in the interests of profits and not the patients.

Dr Farrugia said the plan for Gozo’s hospital to become a five-star institute was to have it funded by the EU. He said there were funds for this through the EU but somehow the plan changed down the line.