Government sources who have spoken to this newspaper have tended to absolve AX Holdings from any blame for the cracks that have developed in the Tal-Grazzja Chapel in Sliema and instead blame the Tal-Maghtab workers who are digging a trench in the street outside the chapel.

However, there could be a political twist in all this: for the Tal-Maghtab boss was one of those who accompanied the MLP delegation to Dubai.

The government sources claimed it is now reasonably clear that it was not the digging that was going on behind the chapel for the hotel’s car park that caused the fissures in the chapel but rather the trenching work in the street.

First of all, the digging at the back of the chapel had been going on for ages and no fissures had previously appeared.

Secondly, the developer had taken extra care on the side of the buildings and had buttressed the nearby area. In addition, it is clear that the chapel has been weakened on its street side and in fact, they observed, the chapel can now be seen to lean towards the street.

Furthermore, it seems that some of the Tal-Maghtab workers have admitted they came across a fissure in the rocks while they were digging, but it seems they usually continue with their trenching work. Apparently they don’t encounter many fragile chapels along the way.

Thirdly, to correct current impressions, it would seem that a Mepa permit is not required for trenching work, just a permit from the ADT and one from the local council.

People who yesterday attended a funeral at Stella Maris parish church across the road complained to this newspaper that most of the workers on site yesterday morning were without hard hats.