ADT board writes to PM

The board of the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) wrote to the Prime Minister insisting that at no time did it change or consider changing its decision to sack the two employees convicted of bribery.

The letter, bearing the date of July 11, was released by the Office of the Prime Minister. It said the Prime Minister had received it last night.

In its letter, the board recounted how the ADT had brought in the police once it became aware of the abuse. The people in question were arraigned and convicted. They appealed and the judgment was confirmed. It was at that stage - February this year - that the ADT decided to dismiss the two convicted employees.

The board said the CEO had informed Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett about what was happening. "At no point did the minister interfere in this decision," the board wrote in its letter to the Prime Minister.

Eventually, the sacked employees' lawyer wrote to the CEO asking for the decision to be suspended pending a decision on their application for a presidential pardon. The lawyer insisted there had been a precedent.

The board said that, given that the matter was an administrative one, Mr Mugliett pointed out to the CEO that the previous case was very similar to that involving the two sacked employees. Thus, the letter continues, the minister suggested that the ADT's decision to dismiss the two should continue to stand but that "effective termination would be implemented following the outcome of the request for a presidential pardon".

The board said the proposal was discussed with the CEO, assisted by the ADT's lawyer. It was decided that the dismissal should be confirmed and that it would be postponed pending a decision on the presidential pardon application.

It was at this stage in the letter that the board stressed that at no time did it change or consider changing its decision to sack the two convicted employees.

After the February decision, the board formally discussed the case only after it was informed about the outcome of the application for a presidential pardon.

Last month, the Justice Ministry informed the board that the application had been archived. On June 26, the board met and decided that the two employees would be dismissed forthwith.

The Office of the Prime Minister said it was decided to release the letter in view of the press reports over the past days.

It quoted the Prime Minister as saying that the letter demonstrated that the ADT had acted in a tough manner when it learnt about the abuses. It also showed that Mr Mugliett had at no point interfered in the decision.

He said the letter further proved that the board had never changed its decision to sack the two convicted employees. Their effective dismissal had been postponed pending the outcome of the application for a presidential pardon.

"It is very satisfying for me to note that the public administration is showing it is able to uncover abuse and to take determined action in order for democracy in the country to be further strengthened. The government's message is very clearly in favour of the highest standards of transparency and accountability in public administration," the Prime Minister said.