The National Audit Office has refused to publish the Vitals Global Healthcare (VGH) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), politician Arnold Cassola has said.

The MoU was flagged by the NAO in its report on the VGH deal, a deal which saw the three hospitals transferred under the management of the private company, after it went missing. 

Prime Minister Robert Abela had then ordered that the document be found by last Monday, and on Tuesday it was revealed that it was, and the document was sent to the National Audit Office.

Politician Arnold Cassola sent a request to the National Audit Office to publish the MoU, however his request was denied.

“We would like to inform you that it is neither ethical nor appropriate for the NAO to publish a document passed on to us and that is being used for our work and our reportage on the case.”

On his part, Cassola replied that the document is one signed by the government which represents that Maltese people, and not a secret treaty which can prejudice the safety of the state.

He said that the taxpayer has every right to know how its taxes are being spent, and that the longer the document is hidden from the public, the more suspicions will be raised and the more distrust there will be in the country’s political leadership.