Scandals involving land issues are becoming a frequent occurrence under the government of Joseph Muscat, Nationalist Party shadow minister Jason Azzopardi said.

The latest scandal is that revealed by the National Audit Office on the lease by the General Workers Union of part of its office to ARMS Ltd, he added, which is clearly illegal.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Azzopardi said that the prime minister, considering the lands department falls right under him, should assume political responsibility.

Dr Azzopardi argued that Principal Permanent Secretary Mario Cutajar, “who previously held a post within the GWU administration, lied when he said he first heard about the case on July 15, 2015, given that the scandal had been reported at least five months prior”.

They argued that given that the redemption of ground rent occurred after the PN revealed the scandal, “someone knew something illegal was going on”.

The MPs expressed their expectation for legal action to be taken, “as recommended by the Auditor General, and the Attorney General who has already stated that this should be done in the report”.

They questioned whether it is right for a decision by Parliament on conditions for the original lease should be revoked by a simple schedule of deposit. “The absolute majority of Jurists say that when ground rent is redeemed in this way, you do not extinguish the original conditions within the original emphyteusis”.

The MPs mentioned the various scandals related to the lands department, including Café Premier and Old Mint Street.

Asked about PN MP Joe Cassar’s deal with Gaffarena over the purchase of a second hand car, (where Gaffarena refused payment and asked for the funds to be passed on to the PN) Dr Azzopardi said there was nothing embarrassing about it. He did not say whether if  he were in his position, he would have done the same or not.