PN Deputy Leader Beppe Fenech Adami this morning did not deny having sat down at the dinner table with controversial businessman Mark Gaffarena on a number of occasions but insisted that these were not meetings but merely occasions both he and Gaffarena had attended separately.

Former PN MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando told GWU paper L-Orizzont today that he attended three dinners organized by the Gaffarena family and Fenech Adami was present for at least two of them. Mark Gaffarena did not only attend but also served dinner, he said.

Questioned by The Malta Independent this morning, Dr Fenech Adami did not deny this but insisted that this was just a case where both he and Gaffarena were present for the same event.

Mr Gaffarena last week made a number of allegations in a bid to show that his relationship with the PN Deputy Leader went deeper than Fenech Adami suggested. Asked if he had any documentation to show that Mr Gaffarena was being untruthful, Dr Fenech Adami insisted that the sole piece of evidence is the fact that the Gaffarena Qormi petrol station remained illegal under the PN administration. On the other hand the PL government gave him the necessary permits to operate from an illegal building.

He also insisted he did not know if Gaffarena gave any donations to the PN in the past and, if this was the case, he was not PN Deputy Leader at the time. 

The series of accusations started after it was revealed that Mr Gaffarena was tipped off by a government official about government plans to expropriate part of a property in Old Mint Street, Valletta. The deal was approved by Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon. Mr Gaffarena was given up to 3.3 million Euro in cash and land in the controversial deal.