PN Leader Simon Busuttil has refused to tell the courts who leaked him the FIAU reports regarding OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri.
In a statement, the PN said that Simon Busuttil was called before Magistrate Doreen Clarke to testify in the magisterial inquiry regarding uncovering the person who leaked the FIAU reports. “The reports had concluded that criminal procedures needed to be taken against OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri regarding corruption and money laundering.”
Busuttil, following his testimony, said “I was asked to reveal the source who passed me information regarding Keith Schembri’s corruption and money laundering. I refused, as I had given my word to grant every type of protection to anyone ready to reveal information. I kept my word.”
He added that he “defended people who wanted to fight against corruption, while Joseph Muscat defends those people who are under investigation for corruption. This is the sad state of justice our country finds itself in. There are many people who are suffering because justice and the law mean nothing to this government. I will continue fighting for justice.”
The Opposition announced, in a seperate statement earlier in the day, that Busuttil has asked the courts to launch a Magisterial inquiry into OPM Chief of Staff Keith Schembri and Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi after they were caught acquiring companies in Panama last year, to see whether money laundering laws were breached.
PN Leader Simon Busuttil said "I am taking this step because the police nor the Attorney General did what they should have done. The General Election result does not mean that justice should not occur. The election is not an excuse for criminal acts to be forgotten or swept under the carpet. More so when these are done by people in the highest posts of power. I will continue working so that Justice will continue to reign and that the law again becomes equal for everyone."
The application itself was filed by PN MP Jason Azzopardi and lawyer Kris Busietta
The court application can be read here
The application lists the various political revelations and manoeuvres which raised the Opposition's suspicions starting from the date both took their posts. Among other things, it highlight an email where Nexia BT's Karl Cini gave the go-agead for the opening of bank accounts despite a Panamanian bank requiring minimum deposits of $1 million a year.
Ministry for Tourism’s response
A press release issued by the Ministry for Tourism through the Department of Information, read: “Dr Simon Busuttil continues to rehash unfounded and baseless allegations on Dr Konrad Mizzi”
“During the past years, Dr Simon Busuttil sought to throw mud and lies about Dr Konrad Mizzi and the Government. As already stated many times, the Trust and company set up never held any bank accounts and never received any funds from anywhere in the world.”
“This is a fact which cannot be disputed, and claims to the contrary are outright lies. A published audit by Crowe Horwath International is testament to this.”
“This will strengthen the resolve of Mizzi to work harder to improve the performance of areas under his responsibility including tourism and to transform Air Malta, as he did in the energy and health sectors.”
PL response
In response, the PL said that through this “desperate move,” it seems Simon Busuttil wants to remain PN Leader.
Schembri says he will take legal action against Busuttil
In a statement on his Facebook page, Schembri said he will be instituting legal action against Busuttil within the coming hours, saying that he will “not allow any more lies” to be hold about him.
Schembri described the application filed today as “legally untenable” and a poor attempt to save his political career.
He also pointed court that the request in Busuttil’s court application is already the subject of other inquiries which have been initiated on Busuttil’s own request but, Schembri said, “at least this time he did not use an empty boxes stunt”.
Today’s actions, Schembri said, only served to create a premise for Busuttil to once again run for the Nationalist Party leadership.