The Nationalist Party today said that two of the civil servants who allegedly passed on information to former minister Tonio Fenech have been placed on forced leave or suspended.

Addressing a news conference, deputy leaders Mario de Marco and Beppe Fenech Adami said the government's behaviour is tantamount to political discrimination.

Chris Pace, manager at the Central Bank, and Carlos Camenzuli, manager at NSO, were not allowed to go to work today following the publication of a story in the General Workers' Union newspaper it-Torca yesterday, which claimed that they had passed on confidential information to Mr Fenech. Mr Pace is suspended on half pay while Mr Camenzuli is on forced leave.

A third civil servant, Keith Zahra, who works at the Malta Financial Services Authority, was also mentioned as having passed on similar information.

In the press conference, Dr de Marco and Dr Fenech Adami accused the GWU of using its newspapers to attack civil servants when, as a union, it should be defending the workers. Dr de Marco noted that It-Torca did not define the content of such confidential information, and only made reference to a drafting of a press release about the reinstatement of the former director of NSO, something which was already made public. He stressed that the individuals were not breaching any regulations by discussing the release, which was published by Mr Fenech.

He said that it was unacceptable that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat chose to accept the unfounded allegations made by the newspaper.  He stressed that every person has the right of political belief and of expressing their opinion.

Dr Fenech Adami said that the Labour government has yet again breached another of its electoral promise. "The Labour Party had promised that one can still work with the government, even if they hold different political beliefs. However, a person who exercises the rights of association, of freedom of expression is now being persecuted. This government makes a clear distinction between Labourites and non-Labourites," he said.

The deputy leader reminded that the former CEO of the party, James Piscopo has now been appointed CEO of Transport Malta, while Jason Micallef has been appointed chairman of V18, while still holding the role of chairman at ONE productions. He also mentioned Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, the former PL President, now appointed chairman of GHRC.

"Labourites are first class citizens - the rest are put aside," he argued. "We had hoped this was a past mentality, but we were mistaken."

Dr Beppe Fenech Adami claimed that a number of people who in the past voted for the PL are approaching the Nationalist Party because they are concerned about the constant abuse and corruption.

"God forbid we have to a situation where all civil servants can no longer express their opinions and beliefs," the deputy leader said. "The Prime Minister's honeymoon is over and because he is in a state of paranoia, he is using such tactics."

The Opposition said that it will be doing everything in its power to revoke the decisions about the two employees and that it is willing to forward the case to the European Central Bank and the European Commission if need be.

It called on all trade unions to defend these workers.

Central Bank statement

In a statement, the Central Bank said that "the Bank would like to affirm that, as it has done in the past, such serious allegations are being handled within the established rules and procedures and to date no disciplinary action has been taken.

However, the Bank has taken the necessary precautionary measures to protect its internal records to enable a fair and effective investigation."

Government expects 'correctness' from public officials

In a statement issued this evening, the government said the permanent secretary within the Finance Ministry has asked for the entities to investigate the allegations. The government said they are autonomous entitites and have their own process and structures as extablished by law.

The government said the allegations were made against public officials, who are expected to act with 'correctness' because they have access to privileged information which can be used 'incorrectly'  to undermine government work.

The government said that most civil servants appointed by the previous administration are still on the government books and are loyal and correct.

The government pointed out that all directives applicable to the civil service were introduced by the previous government at a time when Mario de Marco and Beppe Fenech Adami formed part of Cabinet.

 No one should abuse trust - PL

The Labour Party also issued a statement and said that while people are free to associate with whichever political party that they want to, trust should not be abused. The PL said that the responsibilities of a public official mean that they should steer clear of partisan politics.