The Pariamentary Secretary for Health, Chris Fearne, confirmed today that the goverment is covering up for the contractors mentioned as being responsible for the weak concrete at Mater Dei, three of which have close ties to the PL, Health Shadow Minister Claudette Buttigieg said this afternoon.

“Chris Fearne has left the door open to these companies for other government contracts, including for works to fix the weak concrete they had supplied themselves. This is a grave declaration that shows that the PL government has become a defender of these companies, some of which have close ties to the PL.”

Mrs Buttigieg said one of the companies has direct ties to the PM’s personal advisor, another has familiar links with the PL and another built the PL’s HQ in Hamrun.

“The government is doing all it can to avoid suing these companies for €35 million, and is thus putting this burden on taxpayers.” The Opposition, she said, also condemned the government for using nurses as a backdrop for Mr Fearne during the press conference. 

In reply, the Labour Party said that the Nationalist Party tries to avoid responsibilities in the case of Mater Dei Hospital, as well as in others such as the scandal in Gozo,

Simon Busuttil wants to be praised for the interconnector project, but wants to avoid responsibility on the Mater Dei sham which was carried out in full under Nationalist administrations.

In yet another statement, the PN said "it's rich coming from Muscat" given that he wants Simon Busuttil to shoulder political responsibility for something that took place 20 years ago when Muscat, as PM, does not want to shoulder responsibility for situations that happened under his own premiership - the Cafe Premier scandal and the Old Mint Street expropriation.