Castille sends back letter addressed to Kasco Ltd

A messenger who this morning turned up at Auberge de Castille with a letter addressed to Kasco Ltd was “politely” informed that he was at the wrong address.

According to a statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister, a letter was hand-delivered to the Office of the Prime Minister with the words “Kasco Ltd, Bulebel” written on the envelope.

“Representatives from the OPM, gently, told the messenger that he was at the wrong address,” the OPM statement read.

The Prime Minister’s office went on “to inform” the Leader of the Opposition that it did not receive correspondence on behalf of third parties and with whom the Nationalist Party has commercial relations.

Kasco Ltd, Keith Schembri’s firm, is owed €98,032.60 by Media.Link for the supply of paper and other material between December 2012 and September 2013. With interests accrued, the figure goes up to €121,571.

During an interview on Sunday morning, PN leader Simon Busuttil insisted that the PN “would not be intimidated” by Schembri. Media.Link, the PN’s media company, has received an official letter from Kasco Group, requesting payment for the outstanding dues.

The PN’s printing press closed down three years ago.  

“It is an obscene conflict of interest for the prime minister’s chief of staff, who has repeatedly declared to having cut off his business interests, to threaten the Nationalist Party over money owed to his company,” he said.

“We will not be intimidated or scared. Keith Schembri lied when he said he had given up control of his business interests. The PN does not need him and tomorrow, it will send a cheque to Schembri at Castille,” Busuttil said while speaking during an interview on Radio 101.

In a reaction, the PN claimed that Schembri “did not have the decency” of accepting the cheque sent by the PN.

“Despite the financial sacrifices required, the Nationalist Party this morning sent the full payment to Keith Schembri at his place of work, at Castille,” the PN said, adding that Schembri felt embarrassed accepting the cheque.

The cheque was instead accepted by Schembri’s lawyer.

“The PN today paid Schembri to show that it does not succumb to threats. His actions continue to strengthen our resolve to fight for freedom of democracy,” it said.

The PN insisted that it was being “financially threatened” simply because it had objected to government’s scandals.

The PN said that Schembri had “also threatened” The Times – Progress Press owes Kasco Group over €1.5 million following loan made.

The opposition accused Schembri of abuse of power.