The Nationalist Party has described the benefits fraud racket as "pigging out" that has reached a new low "of institutionalised corruption."

Last Sunday the Times of Malta reported that former Labour MP Silvio Grixti was implicated in a scandal that allegedly enabled hundreds of people to receive disability benefits which they were not entitled to. Medical documents were provided for people to apply for benefits averaging €450 intended for severe disabilities they do not suffer from, it was reported.

Providing fake certificates and using fictitious disabilities for personal gain, "to buy votes, is something that one should abhor happening, let alone if it is created in the corridors of Castille," the PN said, calling it shameful.

The PN also described the benefits fraud racket as having Castille's blessing."

"For one to use fictitious disability is a disgrace, is nothing but a huge insult to those who really have a disability and need all the help to, as much as possible, live a normal life."

The PN said that when looking at the amounts involved in this fraud of public funds "to facilitate the Labour Party, we see that we are speaking about millions over around four years. These are funds that were blatantly stolen from funds collected through taxes and National Insurance payments made by the people to pay for social services, including pensions and support for persons with disability."

The PN said that it is "disappointed that the government, which is supposed to help those most vulnerable in society, is instead allowing the creation of schemes through which these people are having funds stolen, funds that could have been used for more investment and support in favour of social inclusion."

The PN called on Prime Minister Robert Abela to shoulder political responsibility for this theft, saying that the racket was "worked by an organised crime network with the blessing of government."

The statement was signed by the PN's spokesperson for inclusion and the voluntary sector Graziella Galea.