Former PN MP David Thake breached both the Standards in Public Life Act and the Code of Ethics of Members of Parliament when his companies failed to settled unpaid VAT and when he did not declare his shareholding in a company in the declaration of assets.

In his report on the case, outgoing Standards Commissioner George Hyzler noted that Thake said his unpaid VAT dues were down to a lack of liquidity in both his companies. But he said he had no clear indication of how much VAT was due as the last statement he had received from the IRD was in 2016 and that he was never asked to settle the amount.

In January 2022, just two months before the election, PN MP David Thake resigned from parliament after it was revealed that his telecommunications company, Vanilla Telecoms had a pending VAT bill of €270,000 with the Inland Revenue Department and that his other company Maltashopper Ltd owed over €500,000 in VAT.

Thake had written to the Standards Commissioner, asking him to investigate the matter. He did not contest the last election.

Hyzler also noted in his report that Thake had failed to mention his 50% shareholding in Davmar Holdings Ltd, in his 2020 declaration of assets as MP. “Whatever the reason, the fact remains that Thake failed to observe his obligations and declare the company in his declaration of assets as a member of parliament, breaching the Code of Ethics of Members of Parliament,” Hyzler stated. He added that this was a direct breach of his ethical obligations as an MP.

Hyzler said that MPs should lead by example and follow the law when it comes to tax payments. He stated although it is a common practice for enterprises to fall behind on tax payments, and that it was tolerated by the authorities, an MP had to set a good example.

Hyzler report