Instead of referring the matter to the Commission Against Corruption, which over the years proved to be “toothless”, the government would have done better to answer to the questions raised on the IT Ministry’s head of secretariat directly, MLP spokesman on foreign affairs and IT Leo Brincat said.

In a statement, Mr Brincat asked what stopped the government from saying whether it is ethical for a person so close to a government minister to be involved in the adjudication or evaluation of tenders amounting to Lm25 million involving Enemalta Corporation and the Water Services Corporation.

Mr Brincat said he is not afraid of saying what he knows in public. “I have always done this and I will continue to do so outside Parliament,” he said, adding that the ball is now in the minister’s court.