Independent candidate Arnold Cassola has asked the “future” standards commissioner to investigate parliamentary secretary Chris Bonett after a news report said that he had gone to Sicily on holiday with his family, using his ministerial car.

If true, Cassola contends, this is a grievous breach of ethics and a serious act of ministerial impunity. This is because the car, which s publicly-owned, was used for a private purpose and that the same car, which is supposedly for use for government official duties, was used for a private matter.

Cassola asked whether the fleet of cars used by members of the Cabinet are insured when they are taken abroad for leisure and private business.

The standards commissioner is still to be appointed after incumbent George Hyzler was appointed as Malta’s representative on the European Court of Auditors.