The former Minister for Tourism, Clayton Bartolo, has published a two-minute video on his public Facebook page to declare that the attachment order filed against him has been lifted following a court decree. As a result, his assets have been unfrozen as investigations against him continue.
Bartolo stated that truth always emerges and that following this latest court decree to "fully" revoke the attachment order and therefore unfreeze his assets, "the allegation (made against him) is beginning to crumble to nothing," he said.
"This is the first step towards justice, so that I and my family can clear our name," Bartolo said.
The now independent MP insisted that everything he and his family went through over the past year is the result of the actions of one particular person "who was only looking to damage myself and my family and politically persecute me."
Bartolo mentioned that following the political saga that led to his resignations from the Cabinet of Ministers and the Labour Party's parliamentary group, he and his family have been going through a hard time, though have remained strong.
In November 2024, Clayton Bartolo resigned from his role as Tourism Minister, as well as from the PL parliamentary group, three weeks after he was found to have breached ethical standards when his partner, now wife, Amanda Muscat, was given a consultancy job without having the necessary qualifications. His tourism portfolio was taken up by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ian Borg.
He resisted calls for his resignation but he was forced to quit on 26 November when it became public that Bartolo and his wife were being investigated for suspected kickbacks, worth €50,000, on an MTA contract meant to promote cycling tourism.
He recalled that due "a very ugly, false accusation" that he continues to insist was fabricated, he was branded a thief and was plastered on billboards for allegedly abusing his position.
Bartolo said that he has "nothing to hide" and he has fully cooperated with the police throughout this past year, even providing all necessary explanations and answering all of questions from the Financial Crimes Investigations Department (FCID).
Concluding his message, Bartolo thanked the people for continuing to support him and his family during these trying times for them since he was forced to resign as Tourism Minister in late 2024.
"The greatest source of inspiration [to us] was you, the people, who gave us your support. This support grew this year, it didn't falter," Bartolo said.
Expressing his gratitude towards the sustained support he and his family has received since then, Bartolo stated that as people were able to look to him for his services in the past, he pledges to continue being there for the people, in the same way, in the future.