Minister for European and Foreign Affairs Evarist Bartolo has come out with a scathing criticism of the three Prime Ministers who followed on after Alfred Sant.

In Parliament, Bartolo said that previously the only Prime Minister who fought against 'mafia tentacles' in Malta was Alfred Sant, "unlike the three who came after him," The three who came after Sant were Eddie Fenech Adami, Lawrence Gonzi, and Joseph Muscat, who currently forms part of the Labour Party Parliamentary Group.

Speaking in Parliament he criticised the Nationalist Party to "have a good look in the mirror" before judging or criticising him (Bartolo).

"I would appreciate it if, before I am attacked, you check your facts properly and look at those individuals who broke this country in the past and how perviously the only Prime Minister who fought  against 'mafia tentacles' in Malta was Alfred Sant, unlike the three who came after him," Bartolo said on Tuesday in Parliament.

He was replying to a parliamentary question asked by Nationalist Party Adrian Delia, who asked whether Bartolo knew about the scandal uncovered by Reuters and Times of Malta, where Yorgen Fenech allegedly secretly made a €4.6 million profit via his secret company 17 Black off Enemalta's decision to buy a wind farm in Montenegro.

When asked whether the cabinet had discussed about the scandal previously, Bartolo highlighted that he found out about the scandal when it was published by Reuters. "Delia knows perfectly well that we do not talk about what happens in Cabinet," explained Bartolo.

He highlighted that there are not many people from the Opposition who can lecture him, as he said he has been speaking the truth 'loud and clear' for years.

Bartolo said that in the past he spoke up against previous Malta Financial Services Authority head Joe Bannister, who Bartolo claims had invested schemes in Cayman Island. "Bannister destroyed the country's integrity, and I never found support from the Nationalist Party, instead I was made to feel like I was doing wrong and tarnishing Malta's reputation," he said.

"I spoke about these mafia tentacles many times, but unfortunately, the past three prime ministers, not including this current one, failed to take action. The only prime minister who took up the fight seriously was Alfred Sant," said Bartolo.

He criticised the opposition and that if he had to join the Opposition, it would be jumping "from the frying pan to the fire." 

Replying regarding the Montenegro deal, Bartolo highlighted he had never been to the Balkan country, and pointed out that there was no indication that Malta's Ambassador to Montenegro, Karl Izzo, was involved in any wrongdoing.