Updated | Prime Minister distances himself from former Enemalta chairperson

Updated with Labour statement at 4:40pm

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has distanced himself from former Enemalta chairman Tancred Tabone, who has been charged with multiple counts of corruption in fuel procurement, saying that the businessman was already chairman of the state utility when he became prime minister in 2004.

MORE Court arraigment of Tancred Tabone and Frank Sammut

Gonzi said that after Tabone's role as Enemalta chairman expired in June 2005, his membership of public boards was restricted to positions nominated by the Chamber of Commerce, which he represented on the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development, and Malta Enterprise board.

"It is with profound disappointment that I have learned about the arraignment of Mr Tancred Tabone, a prominent member of the business community, in connection with events that allegedly took place while he was responsible for safeguarding the public interest on the board of a public corporation," Gonzi said in a statement.

"The fact that these events appear to have taken place some nine years ago and that Tabone's appointment as chairman of Enemalta Corporation had not been renewed in 2005 is no comfort to me at all."

Gonzi's statement was met with cynicism by the Labour Party, which said the prime minister was trying to absolve himself of any political responsibility by saying that Tabone had been appointed before his time. "Gonzi's statement is no consolation for the public that is the victim of the scandal of corruption in the procurement of oil at Enemalta... what is the prime minister really saying with this statement? What did he know nine years ago to say that he had not reappointed Tabone in 2005?"

Gonzi, who recommended the presidential pardon to the Trafigura agent George Farrugia to turn State's evidence, said he could not accept government appointees betray the public's trust.

"Notwithstanding the good work that might be done by an individual in his private capacity... I cannot accept any appointees, let alone leaders in our community, betray the trust that has been placed in them.

"In such situations they undermine the confidence of the general public not only in public institutions in general, and in the management of certain public sector entities in particular, but also in the private sector - which must remain the pillar for growth and proper management of resources in this open economy of ours." 

Tabone was charged with former MOBC chief executive and Enemalta consultant Frank Sammut, believed to have received kickbacks from Trafigura for the supply of oil to Enemalta.

Sammut role as chief executive was terminated in August 2003, but he was reappointed on a one-year consultancy by Tabone, which was then not renewed on instructions by then energy minister Austin Gatt.

Sammut was a member of the Enemalta Board between 1987 and 1990 and, according to Enemalta's records, a member of its fuel procurement committee between 1987 and 1998. Sammut was also appointed MOBC chief in August 2000 when Tabone served as chairman (1999-2005). 

"It is not for me to disclose the details of the case against Tabone and Sammut. That is a matter for the police. I have done everything in my power to facilitate the investigation of all allegations, including issuing an amnesty to whoever was prepared to collaborate and give evidence in court that will expose all wrongdoing. I ask the media and members of the public to await the outcome of proceedings and to allow justice to take its course in the interest of all," Gonzi said.

The prime minister also said that he would continue to hunt down "any elements of corruption or trading in influence... Any individual, whether he or she is an officer or employee of the public administration or deals with such persons, will have to answer for his or her actions - as others, some high profile and others less so, have already done during past Nationalist administrations."