PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami said today that Gozo Minister Anton Refalo’s position is no longer tenable, reiterating his call for the Prime Minister to remove him before it is too late and potential evidence in connection with the alleged string of Gozo private works financed by the taxpayer is tampered with.
Speaking during a news conference at the PN headquarters this morning, Dr Fenech Adami said that a week ago today the PN held a news conference in which it explained that a number of allegations emerged in independent media on works conducted on private properties in Gozo which are funded by the taxpayer and which involve the Gozo ministry and the minister himself.
“But today we still have a minister who has access and absolute control on anything that may shed light on the alleged cases involving him and his ministry – evidence which could help police in its investigations. Instead of keeping him a mile away from this potential evidence, the Prime Minister has chosen to keep Dr Refalo close to any potential evidence which may exist,” he said.
He highlighted that out of the 10 cases which surfaced, Dr Refalo only defended himself on three of the cases and remained silent on the rest.
Dr Fenech Adami referred to a clip aired on TVM’s Reporter in which Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that for each report which surfaced, there was a clear answer.
But Dr Fenech Adami called Dr Muscat a “liar” since “Dr Refalo only answered to three of the 10 allegations”.
The PN deputy leader once again outlined the number of alleged works in Gozo which were conducted with the ministry’s blessing. These include works on a restaurant in Marsalforn, in a field in Ghasri, on a number of properties in Kercem and Xaghra, works on a property belonging to a canvasser of Dr Refalo, among others.
Opposition in a state of panic after being caught lying on Refalo one time after the other - PL
In reply, the Labour Party said that the correction published by In-Nazzjon following its allegations of private works in Rabat, Gozo, the allegations of which were made with the aim of tarnishing Minister Refalo’s repute, confirms the panic the PN is in to try defend the actions of the previous administration.
The Opposition, the PL said, was being ridiculous when it states that private works done some 16 years ago in Gozo were done by the current Gozo Ministry.
These things used to happen only during the previous legislature, the PL said, adding that the invention made by the PN’s newspaper is one of a series.
“A week ago, Dr Fenech Adami alleged that works were done on a private road with the blessing of Dr Refalo’s ministry when in actual fact the works on this road had been done when Chris Said – the PN’s former secretary general – was mayor of the local Nadur council," the PL continued.
Minister reiterates he hasn't been interrogated or investigated
In a statement, the Ministry of Gozo reiterated that Minister Anton Refalo is not being investigated or has been interrogated by police.
“The Ministry of Gozo denies all allegations made by PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami towards Dr Refalo and his ministry,” the ministry said. Dr Fenech Adami is still making false allegations which have already been denied and that he got caught in a lie and In-Nazzjon had to publish a correction tied to the allegations it made.
“All Dr Fenech Adami is trying to do is deflect attention and try to make people forget the wrongdoings of the previous administration, the statement read.