Opposition Leader Alfred Sant yesterday said that Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela’s recent denial of making use of the Office of the Prime Minister to carry out his private practice as a notary was shameful and incorrect.

Dr Sant was replying to Dr Abela’s denial, published following allegations made by the opposition leader during a public dialogue meeting on Sunday.

Dr Sant had condemned the parliamentary secretary and circulated to the press a copy of a power of attorney document signed by Dr Abela, dated April 2006, bearing an official OPM stamp.

In a statement published in the media yesterday, Dr Abela denied Dr Sant’s allegations and said that he simply acted as a witness, and this had nothing to do with the fact that he is a notary.

However, Dr Sant pointed out that the authentication of documents and the power of attorney were part of a notary’s job and that it was immaterial whether the notary was paid or not, adding that payment could easily be recovered through other services.

Dr Sant said it was a disgrace that the OPM was reduced to a notary’s office, covered by the excuse that the parliamentary secretary was simply helping out people.

“It is a shame and goes against all the ethical principles that should be followed by politicians,” he said.