The Minister for Social and Affordable Accommodation, Roderick Galdes, rejected the notion that his personal property deals revealed in the media over recent weeks are conflicting with his role as the Minister responsible for Housing.

Minister Galdes told this newsroom that he did not acquire any of his properties for free, but he paid for them by exercising his right, "as everyone else can," to sell, buy or trade property. He said that because of this, "I don't think there's a conflict of interest."

Last month it was reported that Galdes purchased a penthouse and garage in Victoria, Gozo for a price of just €140,000. The Minister had defended this acquisition, saying that he had "reserved" this price from its 2021 pre-construction phase. The contract for this property was signed this year.

Earlier this weekend, it was reported that Minister Galdes had bartered a flat in Xagħra in return for a plot of land in Għarb from the same real estate company as his Victoria penthouse - Excel Investments Ltd. Excel Investments is a company owned by development giants Joseph Portelli, Mark Agius, and Daniel Refalo.

When asked whether he thinks there may be a conflict of interest in dealing with developers, when Excel Investments Ltd were awarded €27 million in contracts - a claim repeatedly being made by the Nationalist Party - Minister Galdes said that "this is a lie" being fabricated by the media.

"This is a lie. This is your lie," Minister Galdes told this newsroom, "You are trying to twist things as what favours you."

The Housing Minister stated that this €27 million actually relates to the total worth of the apartments rented out for housing schemes last year.

While taking questions from journalists on Wednesday afternoon, Minister Galdes reiterated that he has "always" declared his assets and that he has a private life, like every other citizen.

He stated that in his view, the media is mistaken to attack his salary since his wife's salary is unaccounted for in asset declaration procedures. He said that he is not obliged to declare his spouse's salary under existing obligations. He added that his wife also receives the sources of income from rental properties listed under her name, on which she pays VAT and tax, he added. He said that "it's not fair" that people are looking into his assets and associating them with "some act of corruption" or other negative thought.

On Friday, 12 December, former PN MP Jason Azzopardi filed a criminal complaint to the Police Commissioner against Minister Galdes' "unexplained wealth," questioning how the Minister acquired his long list of properties on just his ministerial salary.

Asked about Azzopardi's complaint, the Housing Minister stated that he has always acted responsibly and ethically, and that he will be defending his name when the time comes. Galdes said he hasn't yet received notice about this complaint, though he knows about it due to this action being made public through local media.

Minister Galdes chastised Jason Azzopardi, stating that he was declared a liar by the Courts, and that "he fabricates lies every year, even during this festive season." He commented that Azzopardi had similarly attacked Carmelo Abela, Silvio Schembri, and Clint Camilleri in the past.

While responding to questions from NET News, PN's media wing, the Housing Minister said that he will be providing all the necessary information to the authorities through his lawyer, in obedience with legal procedures. He continued that Prime Minister Robert Abela is informed about his case, reiterated that he has declared all his assets, and that "I don't hide like the PN does." Minister Galdes then questioned how the Nationalist Party's debt decreased to €11.7 million, as announced earlier this week, down from the €32 million reported less than six months prior.