The position of Education Minister Justyne Caruana is not tenable any longer and Prime Minister Robert Abela must remove her from her post immediately, The nationalist Party said.

A report compiled by Standards Commissioner George Hyzler confirms a breach of ethics and preferential treatment from minister Caruana towards Daniel Bogdanovic, after the latter was given a three-month contract worth €15,000 to visit government schools and provide recommendations on how to improve the national sports school’s ability to create elite athletes, a role for which he lacked qualifications, a statement signed by Karol Aquilina and Therese Comodini Cachia said.

The PN added that the Commissioner’s report made it clear that there is a potential infringement where action from the police is a must.

Robert Abela must act immediately, said the PN. It added that the education sector needs a minister which guides and invests in teachers as needed, rather than squandering and spending money on friends.

In a separate statement, independent candidate Arnold Cassola said that Caruana is not fit to be minister and deemed her contract as a “grave abuse of money.” He called for her immediate removal from her position.

Cassola added that others should also resign, namely the Permanent Secretary Frank Fabri who signed the contract knowing that Bogdanovic was not qualified, as well as tried to cover up for Caruana during the Inquiry.

He also questioned the active involvement of consultant Paul Debattista after the Hyzler report concluded that the contract was authored entirely by Debattista.