Abela 'twisted government's arm' by announcing inquiry before it was set up

Government sources have confirmed with MaltaToday that President George Abela literally “twisted government’s arm” by announcing the inquiry when it wasn’t even yet set up, putting also in clear difficulty the Director General for Government Information Martin Bugelli who was not in a position to give replies as to who was to lead the board and what the terms of reference were.

Bugelli, who sat right next to President Abela during the press conference at San Anton Palace told journalists when asked: "I don't know about the terms of reference, nor who will head it....you will probably have to wait until next week."

A series of phone calls to Castille that followed the press conference, led to a three line sentence that announced Alfred Fiorini Lowell as the chairman of the board of inquiry.

During the unprecedented press conference President Abela ‘dumped’ his former senior aide Olaph Terribile, stressing that he “lost faith” in the man, but stopping short of supplying any reasons.

President Abela admitted to the issue raised by MaltaToday last week that revealed the ‘absorption’ of a beleagured production company within the Office of the President, and the employment of its directors with a salary from the Community Chest Fund.

A number of issues related to expenditure and breaches in financial regulations within the Office of the President have so far remained unanswered.