Claudio Grech ‘willing’ to contest on PN ticket

In an interview with Saviour Balzan on Favourite Channel's Reporter, Claudio Grech revealed that he had been mulling over the idea of contesting the general elections for the past two years.

"Someone approached me two years ago suggesting that I contest the general elections with the PN. At the time, I had just left the office of Minister Austin Gatt after 11 years in politics.

"I know what politics mean: difficulties, problems, insults and attacks and long hours away from the family," he added.

Grech recounted how he had discussed at length the idea of contesting the elections with his wife. "Then, last January, the theatrics in parliament began," Grech said, referring to the Prime Minister Cabinet reshuffle that split the Justice and Home Affairs ministries, and resulted in backbencher Franco Debono unexpectedly calling for Gonzi's resignation.

"My wife said that she understood how much I wanted to give my contribution to the party and said that she would support me if I were to contest the elections," Grech said, adding that he has since asked for the advice of a number of individuals.

"Ultimately it is not my decision. But if the PN were to ask me to contest on the first district, I would accept," he added.

Speaking on the recent events in parliament that saw PN MPs Franco Debono, Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Jesmond Mugliett voting against the government, Grech said the situation was 'surreal'.

"These individuals were elected on a PN ticket and now the electorate is witnessing them going against what they voted for," he said, adding that he fully agreed with the executive council's decision to condemn their actions.

Grech goes on to say that the electorate should still vote for the Nationalist Party in the coming elections:

"The Nationalist government sill led the country in the right direction during an economic crisis which led to the meltdown of economies abroad and it managed to turn challenges into opportunities."

Grech last year tendered his resignation from head of the government's information technology agency, claiming he wass the target of an "unwarranted smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the agency's and [his] reputation and integrity."

He was referring to claims by the Opposition that his position at the head of MITA and his political role inside the Nationalist Party, were untenable.

Labour MP Michael Farrugia claimed Grech's 'dual role' was "a danger to individuals' liberty when it comes to data protection."

However, tthe Data Protection Commissioner found no breach of privacy in allegations brought forward by Farrugia, after the latter asked Commissioner Joseph Ebejer to investigate claims that, as MITA chairman, he had access to sensitive data pertaining to every citizen, and this conflicted with his political involvement inside the Nationalist Party.

Grech recently revealed that he had been appointed as an advisor to IT minister Austin Gatt in March 2012.