MP sees 'nothing wrong in witnesses being summoned' to PAC in Delimara controversy

The Independent reports that although government MPs on the committee refused the call of PAC chairman and Labour MP Charles Mangion, where he insisted that witnesses be summoned to answer the committee’s questions, Debono thinks there could be reason to summon even more witnesses than those requested by the chair.

“The Auditor General presented a good and detailed report on the power station extension contract,” Debono said “and he enjoys the confidence and trust of both sides of the House. He is an officer of the House and his office must be respected by all.”

“But I see nothing wrong in considering summoning other witnesses before the PAC once the auditor general has finished giving his evidence,” Debono said.

During a PAC meeting last month, the government majority in the committee voted against a number of individuals summoned by Mangion to give evidence on the power station extension contract. However, other witnesses could be considered over and above those requested by Mangion, Debono said.

While Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt had flatly disagreed with witnesses being summoned, because he believed it undermined the work of the auditor general, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said if it is necessary for certain findings to be elaborated on, then the possibility will not be ruled out.

The Nationalist MP had said in parliament last May “The auditor found no corruption. He used the term ‘hard evidence’. The opposite of hard evidence id suspicion…we all know that a suspicion, no matter how strong, remains a suspicion. If other eventual investigations show otherwise, then it’s different, but until then this is the situation.”