Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has refused to comment on his presence last week at a meeting between the Office of the Prime Minister and Steward Healtchare – the company that has the concession to three former-state hospitals.
Approached by a journalist from The Malta Independent, Muscat said he had “nothing to comment” about the report, as he walked to his waiting car.
On Sunday, this newsroom reported that Muscat’s presence at the meeting had raised eyebrows. Steward Healthcare is requesting a renegotiation of its 30-year-concession, with sources saying the company is requesting additional government funding. The OPM said Muscat and Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne had introduced a Steward representative to Prime Minister Robert Abela.
Sources said Muscat was in favour of the hospitals contract being renegotiated, but Fearne has refused to endorse the proposed changes. The Deputy Prime Minister, in fact, told Cabinet during a meeting the following day that he would not sign a renegotiated contract.
Muscat meeting with Armin Ernst, President of Steward Healtchare International, in Boston, in 2018
Attempts to reach Muscat on Saturday proved futile.
Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Monday morning that he is leaving all options open. He described the meeting, which was facilitated by his predecessor Joseph Muscat, as an “introductory rendezvous” with Steward.
Abela said that Muscat had not represented Steward in any way when he facilitated the meeting with his successor and the healthcare giant.
Opposition Leader Adrian Delia has taken the hospitals privatization deal to court, with the latest sitting being held on Monday morning.