The decision taken to exproriate land in Valletta purchased by Mark Gaffarena was taken by the government and not by civil servants, PN spokesman Ryan Callus said today.

Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon was the person who signed the deal, even though he initially did not admit it, he said when addressing a press conference outside Castille.

Mr Gaffarena made a killing when the government purchased a quarter of a Valletta property off him in January, and another quarter in April with a total compensation package worth €1.65 million.

The latest scandal to have come to light involving Mr Gaffarena is about two pieces of land ‘given’ to him by the government in the limits of Zebbug, behind the Tac-Cavett illegal premises in Qormi. He was also ‘given’ a third plot which is near the illegal venue.

Mr Gaffarena is also one of the owners of the controversial Gaffarena petrol station in Qormi which was given a ‘temporary’ permit to operate in spite of being developed illegally.

Mr Gaffarena was given land in Bahar ic-Caghaq and in Sliema which are estimated to cost more than the value estimated by the government.

PN MP Jason Azzopardi said the government promised transparency and accountability before the election but this was a clear example that it is not being true to its word.

Dr Azzopardi said the expropriation was a clear political decision without any public benefit at all. 

The lands department falls under the Prime Minister's responsiblity, and the whole deal stinks, Dr Azzopardi said. 

Another PN MP, Marthese Portelli, said that the public outcry following the revelation of the deal led the government to try to change tack and limit the damage, ordering an internal inquiry to be carried out after the Opposition called for an investigation by the Auditor General. 

Mr Callus questioned why the government won't just let the Auditor General investigate the case itself.