Rift between Arrigo and Sliema mayor may have led to council probe

A rift between two old allies – Sliema mayor Nikki Dimech in one corner, and Sliema heavyweight, MP Robert Arrigo – may be the clue to understanding the recent thorny political developments in the Sliema council.

Formerly close political colleagues, the two have now fallen out after the Nationalist Party in March unofficially indicated that they would support the candidature of Dimech for the next general election.

The news seemed to have ruffled feathers in the Arrigo camp. Robert Arrigo, who is an aggressive campaigner in the Sliema district, immediately distanced himself from Nikki Dimech.

This same rupture in relations seems to have coincided with the campaign to investigate Dimech for irregular fiscal procedures in the issuing of direct tenders in the council. Dimech’s role as mayor came under investigation from the director of local councils, Martin Bugelli.

But despite all the investigations and media coverage, Dimech has stayed put. His close friends have told MaltaToday Midweek that he followed financial procedures as was customary in the local council formerly headed by Robert Arrigo’s wife, Marina Arrigo.

The latter is reported to have issued several direct orders worth thousands of euros.

“If there was an impropriety in the way direct orders were issued, why all the attention now, when it happened before with impunity?” one close aide told MaltaToday.

Aspects of Dimech’s personal lifestyle have also been leaked to the press in an attempt to damage his reputation. Yet his friends are quick to point out that these involve problems now relegated to the past, pointing out that Dimech is today a successful businessman.

Dimech’s political success may have been a cause for concern to Robert Arrigo, a popular PN candidate in his own right. But the focus on the direct orders in the Sliema council may well rebound and return to haunt Arrigo, whose wife was the former mayor in the council.

When contacted Nikki Dimech chose not to comment, he only said that he felt that the time was not appropriate to talk.  “I have done nothing wrong, I still have the support of the majority of those in the local council and I will defend my reputation.”

Nikki Dimech’s record as mayor of Sliema raised some eyebrows in some circles for treating Labourite councillors and constituents with equal respect. “His new way of doing politics seems to have bothered a few,” a close friend told this newspaper.