Updated | Gonzi stands by Gatt on political responsibility in oil procurement case

Updated with Austin Gatt statement

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has defended transport minister Austin Gatt over the possible connection he might have in the allegations of kickbacks paid by commodities firm Trafigura to Enemalta officials, after his Cabinet approved a presidential pardon for oil trader George Farrugia to turn State's witness.

Asked by MaltaToday whether Gatt should take political responsibility after having been interrogated by police in connection with an investigation on the alleged kickbacks, Gonzi said that "nobody should jump to any conclusions".

"Austin never spoke about oil tenders in meetings he had with this person, and that's his statement," Gonzi said of the meetings the minister is believed to have had with George Farrugia, revealed in email correspondence between Farrugia and Trafigura representatives that was published in the Sunday Times.

"I said I would fight corruption tooth and nail and this presidential pardon confirms my commitment. We gave investigators the strongest tool possible so that they can solve this case."

George Farrugia, a director of Aikon Ltd, is at the centre of allegations that Trafigura regularly paid commissions to former MOBC chief executive Frank Sammut, through payments in a Swiss bank account for Sammut that were first revealed by MaltaToday.

But Gonzi has refused to answer whether Austin Gatt was either present for the Cabinet meeting he held late on Friday evening to issue the pardon, or whether he had met the minister since the latest disclosure of the Trafigura emails.

Gonzi also refused to draw comparisons between the resignation of minister Chris Said over allegations of perjury, and Austin Gatt's current link to Farrugia.

"Political responsibility should be taken after investigations are fully carried out. We should not jump to any conclusions," Gonzi said.

Said had resigned his ministerial role after being accused of perjury in a civil case, and was reinstated to his position after he was cleared of the charges.

"The cases are different and there is no comparison," Gonzi said.

Earlier today, Labour leader Joseph Muscat said Gonzi was aware of much more information on the allegations of kickbacks.

"We would like to know what led to the decision to issue the pardon if the Prime Minister can explain... the emails published by the Sunday Times could be referring to Austin Gatt," Muscat said of the correspondence that alludes to meetings with 'Aust' and 'A.G'.

"I will not speculate but everyone knows how to read. If the foreign company asks about a meeting with the minister I don't think it has anything to do with his constituency," Muscat said, referring to early denials by Gatt in which he said that any politician 'worth their salt' would have meet George Farrugia, formerly a member of the Farrugia family business John's Group of Companies.

"Gatt and Gonzi must explain what's going on. Only after investigations are concluded can one examine whether giving this pardon was the right decision. But on Gatt, Gonzi's replies so far have been weak and he should clarify."

Austin Gatt statement

In comments he released at 12pm, referring to Labour leader Joseph Muscat's statements, Austin Gatt said he had nothing to add to his previous statements.

"I reiterate that I never, ever discussed the business of tenders for oil by Enemalta with George Farrugia or had any conversation with him that remotely touched on such subjects. This applies to the period referred to in the Sunday Times story of yesterday, some 8 to 10 years ago, or any period before or since."