Mark Gaffarena was represented by PL MP Joseph Sammut in a case in before the Rural Leases Control Board, and another case in the civil court, this newsroom has learnt.

In addition, former PL president and current chairman of the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi also represented Gaffarena in the same Rural Leases Control Board case.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Sunday called on Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil to take action against PN Deputy Leader Beppe Fenech Adami after having ‘lied’ about his relationship with Mark Gaffarena. The PN Deputy Leader had said in July that he had met him once at a reception and could not remember if he met him another time. It was later revealed, however, that he represented the Gaffarena family in at least three cases.

The Prime Minister, who was speaking during a telephone interview on One Radio also asked why Dr Fenech Adami had not revealed his connections immediately. During the telephone interview, the Prime Minister also asked about former Minister Joe Cassar and former PN general secretary Joe Saliba’s connections to the Gaffarena family. Dr Muscat did not, however, mention that a PL MP and a former PL President represented Gaffarena in court.

In response, Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil said that there is 'absolutely no reason' to take action against Deputy Leader Beppe Fenech Adami.

“He did nothing wrong. Since when should I take action against an MP because he exercised his profession as legal counsel (in this case, several years ago, even before becoming MP)? The point at issue is completely different. It is not whether one met Gaffarena or was his lawyer that is the problem, but giving in to his insistence to sanction his illegally built petrol station. We said no, Labour said ok. If anything, this case brings out the stark difference between the two parties when dealing with such cases."

An internal inquiry by the Internal Audit and Investigations Department (IAID) into the Gaffarena expropriation deal of half a property on Old Mint Street was launched earlier this year. The Prime Minister promised that this inquiry would be published. The Prime Minister did not, however, take action against Michael Falzon, under whom the GPD falls. The PN had argued that the IAID, a “Castille Department” is basically investigating another department that falls under the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister pledged to publish the results of the investigation which began in June, however nothing has been heard of the inquiry since.