'PL facade is crumbling to its rotten core' - Gonzi
Gonzi has categorically rubbished claims that he had any prior knowledge about the oil procurement scandal. He also claimed that the PL is using the scandal to hide its internal troubles.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was on the attack this evening, slamming a statement by Labour MP Evarist Bartolo that he had been aware of the oil procurement scandal before it broke in the press, dubbing the allegation as “pathetic.”
Gonzi said that he had no prior knowledge about the procurement scandal, stating that as soon as he heard about the case he reported it to the police.
“The difference between me and Joseph Muscat is that whilst Muscat just talks, I lead and take action.”
Despite admitting that a whistleblower act is needed, Gonzi said that the presidential pardon “is a powerful tool” - referring to the pardon for George Farrugia, the oil trader representing Trafigura, suspected of having paid kickbacks to Enemalta officials for the supply of oil to the state utility.
“This pardon has been given under strict conditionality. It is rarely used. In this case I took the initative after the police commissioner advised that a presidential pardon might move the case forward. I had previously said that I was willing to recommend a pardon should anyone have more information on the case,” Gonzi said.
One of the most important conditions for the pardon was that Farrugia had to pay all illicitly gained monies and €250,000 as civil debt, Gonzi said.
Continuing his full frontal attack, Gonzi dubbed the Tony Zarb and Toni Abela recordings revealed in the past weeks as a “pandora’s box of old Labour” - referring to recordings implicating the GWU secretary-general and PL deputy leader for party affairs Toni Abela in impolitical statements they made in confidential exchanges.
“Whenever the PN caught a whiff of any corruption it immediately reported it to the police. Unfortunately the PL cannot say the same.”
“In 2010 David Aguis reported the information in the Abela recording to the police commissioner. How can Abela, who is both a lawyer and PL deputy leader, selectively seek out a Labourite police officer? He knew the consequences of what he was doing,” Gonzi said.
The PM refuted Muscat’s claim that stipends had been decreased under a Nationalist government.
"The PN never reduced stipends. In 2005 prescribed courses actually had their stipends increased," he said.
Gonzi said that publishers have received the tablet proposal well,showning willingness to support Maltese titles in e-book format.
Tonight’s meeting took place near the oft-referred to Mosta dome. Gonzi quipped that if the meeting was taking place near a massive gas tank - a reference to Labour's proposal for an LNG terminal and power station in Delimara - he would have to evacuate the crowd to safety.
Closing with a bang Gonzi said" “The Labour façade is gradually crumbling to its rotten core, and we are gradually seeing their true face."