Labour MP and former Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Chris Fearne sought the protection of the House on Monday over reports that Steward Health Care used €6.5 million from the now defunct hospitals concession to carry out a smear campaign against him.

Fearne referred to reports by the Times of Malta, the Boston Globe, and the OCCRP that Steward had engaged a private intelligence firm to create a report accusing Fearne of accepting a bribe.  The claims appeared in several Pakistani news portals and in a Brussels-based and Ukrainian news outlet. It was later deemed to be totally false.

He said that the Police Commissioner had already ruled that the allegations were false, but had said that the police could not find who was behind them.  He continued that he had now asked the Police Commissioner to re-open investigations to determine the “hidden hands” behind the stories and to take all the necessary action.

“This coordinated attack was not only carried out against me as a private citizen, but also as a member of Parliament and Deputy Prime Minister, and sought to eliminate me politically,” Fearne said on Monday.

“The aim was for me to stop doing my duty,” he said.

“I solemnly request the House’s protection so that I am not stopped from fulfilling my duties, and I want you to take the necessary steps so my family and I are protected from any dangers,” he said.

“Those who spent €6 million on a frame-up are capable of doing more,” he warned.