Commission finds no corruption in university appointment

The Permanent Commission Against Corruption has decided that there was no evidence of any corruption or any favouritism by former University Rector Peter Serracino Inglott in the appointment of his brother Anthony as head of the Department of Pharmacy at the University.

The commission considered the case following a complaint by Prof. Anthony Jaccarini who in December 1993 wrote to the commission pointing out that the Commission for the Investigation of Injustices earlier that year had found that he had suffered an injustice when he was not reinstated to the position of head of department he occupied at the university before he resigned in July 1978.

"Although Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott denied that consideration of a familial nature were involved in this move, the commission is not morally convinced of this," the Injustices commission had said.

The Permanent Commission Against Corruption said the impasse between Prof. Jaccarini and the university stemmed from his insistence to be reinstated as head of the department for life. His insistence persisted even after Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott was no longer rector and a new law came into force which did not allow life appointment for heads of department.

It resulted that Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott did not participate in decisions involving his brother but, as rector, implemented decisions taken by the competent university bodies, as was his duty. These decisions with regard to Dr Anthony Serracino Inglott did not prejudice Prof. Jaccarini's position.

The allegation that Prof. Peter Serracino Inglott as rector, had favoured his brother and was thus responsible for the fact that Prof. Jaccarini was not reinstated was therefore unfounded.

The commission was presided by Judge Albert Manché.