Jason Micallef, who is the Executive Chairman at One Productions, has categorically denied that anyone ordered a ONE news drone to capture footage of Opposition Leader Bernard Grech's private residence.
The drone allegations began when Prime Minister Robert Abela told journalists that he was to speak on television on Monday night about the "villa with swimming pool" that Grech built while declaring earnings of €6,000 a year. Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said that Prime Minister Robert Abela had sent a drone to film his Mosta home. Grech claimed that "instead of answering legitimate questions from journalists, Abela ordered One News to invent a story about me."
Abela responded that he was not aware that a drone had been sent to film PN Leader Bernard Grech's home. "If this actually happened, I not only condemn such acts, but I believe that family life should be kept totally separate from the political role one plays."
"I am of the opinion that, respect for family privacy is absolute," Abela added.
Grech then responded: "Prime Minister Robert Abela clearly indicated that he was investigating my property when exiting Parliament on Monday (...) This is on the same day my son and wife saw a drone flying low above my property."
Executive Chairman at One Productions Jason Micallef has now spoken up, categorically denying that anyone ordered a ONE news drone to film Grech's residence. "I am ready to say this under oath in court and in any other testimony before the police."
PL in a panic - PN
The Nationalist Party, in reaction, said that the Labour Party is in a panic over the drone story.
"It was Abela who revealed his own hand under pressure, and passed comments where details regarding the home of the Opposition Leader were given only a few hours after a drone flew over Bernard Grech's home."
"The story began as Abela wanted to deviate from the news about his relationship with a criminal gang," the PN said.
This is in reference to reports that Abela had a stake in a property deal back in 2018 which was eventually transferred to Christian Borg, a man recently charged with kidnapping. It has also been reported that Borg and his associates are being investigated by the police over suspected narcotics smuggling and money laundering. Abela was Borg's lawyer in the past.
The PN said: "The Labour Party is now trying to ridicule the drone question by trying to make people believe that this was a Planning Authority drone. Jason Micallef also made a selective statement where he denied that he sent a drone. This was done to try and stop investigations into the act, which we know is a tactic sometimes used by the PL and its news media against PN exponents to try and silence us."
"The Prime Minister would do well to give a complete account of the business he had with the alleged member of a criminal gang and explain what profit he made from this agreement, and whether it was declared and all taxes paid."