The Nationalist Party has called on the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) to investigate the breach of consumer protection rights by Christian Borg's company, Princess Operations Limited.

This request follows on from a court judgement upholding the suspension of his car rental licence earlier this month, as Borg sought an appeal to revoke the sentence.

His licence had been suspended in January 2019 by Transport Malta after the MCCAA received “numerous, repeated and extremely serious complaints of malpractice” from clients who hired a car from Goldcar.

Borg – together with five other men – is currently also the subject of separate criminal proceedings, in which they are accused of abducting, beating and threatening a man over a missing van.

Under the erstwhile licence, Princess Garage used to lease cars under the international franchise Goldcar, which has since cut all ties with Borg and his companies.

“The lack of respect for consumer protection rights by Christian Borg, who is known to have ties with Robert Abela, needs to be investigated immediately,” PN MP Rebekah Borg said in the statement.

“It was reported that Borg's car hire-purchase business forces clients to sign contracts in which they accept that their car may have a tracking device installed,” Borg said, which “possibly violates data protection laws.”

“This is done so that the vehicle can be retrieved if the company believes the client is acting negligently.”

“From media reports, it emerged that a number of clients are considering collective action and that more than 70 clients are seeking legal advice on the validity of the contracts they signed when they purchased second-hand cars from Borg's company,” Borg said.

Borg added that “it’s also very worrying and disconcerting that the police revealed they were aware of the case and treated it as if it were a common occurrence.”

“It was also reported that the way insurance is provided by Borg's company could also leave some consumers without legal coverage.”

“The PN will therefore be formally asking the MCCAA to investigate Borg's company and any other car rental companies that engage in unfair and illegal contractual terms to the detriment of consumers,” concluded Borg.