Tuesday, 13th October 2009 - 08:10CET
Finance minister reveals 'blackmail attempt' over his trips
Finance Minister Tonio Fenech has defended the trip he made with two prominent businessmen in April to watch Arsenal play in a Champions League match, insisting he has a clear conscience about the whole affair.
Mr Fenech said he had sought clearance from the Prime Minister before accepting to accompany George Fenech and Joe Gasan, on the former's private jet, to watch the English team play in Spain. He also revealed that an anonymous letter two months ago had tried to blackmail him over the trip, although the letter wrongly claimed he had been to Wimbledon.
In an interview with The Times, the minister said he did not offer his resignation after the controversial trip was made public by a newspaper on Sunday, adding that he enjoyed the Prime Minister's confidence.
"If he (the Prime Minister) feels that because of this circumstance I am not fit to carry on in my job I will resign," Mr Fenech says.
He explained that the tickets and the flight were provided for free but he paid for his accommodation. The travelling party also included Mr Gasan's son and the minister's own son and nephew.
The minister became embroiled in this controversy after MaltaToday reported that during Saturday's Nationalist Party parliamentary group, MP Franco Debono accused him of having a conflict of interest over the gaming regulations, having been on a trip with George Fenech.
George Fenech has a direct interest in two casinos and is also bidding for the management of the Dragonara Casino, which falls under the minister's remit. Apart from this, the new gaming regulations, which are intended to place stricter controls on gambling parlours, have been interpreted by operators as benefiting casinos.
Contacted yesterday, Dr Debono denied having accused the minister: "I only questioned the matter because it was something people were asking. Who am I to determine whether Tonio Fenech has a conflict of interest or not?"
Mr Fenech confirmed that it was not Dr Debono who first raised the issue during the meeting but the Prime Minister, who was aware of an anonymous letter that was posted to the minister some two months ago.
The letter tried to blackmail him over an alleged trip he had made with George Fenech to watch a tennis match at Wimbledon, although the minister said he had never been there. It alleged he was closing the gambling parlours to favour George Fenech's business interests. The anonymous writer also claimed that he had photos to prove the minister had been on the alleged trip.
Mr Fenech insisted he would not give in to threats by people who have much to lose from the government's latest drive to curb illegal gaming.
"The people making good money from these outlets can tarnish me as much as they want but they will not get what they want," he said, admitting that the allegations may have dented his credibility with a "couple of honest people".
The full text of the interview in being carried today in The Times.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091013/local/i-have-the-prime-ministers-trust
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Comments
Does anyone remember this exact game being played in an exact opposite manner ? Blue Vs Red :) LOL !!!
Pajjiz Tal Mickey Mouse !!! All Politicians need to look in their closet !!
What exactly is it you want Tonio Fenech to keep doing? Do you insist he keeps on breaking the ministerial code of ethics as often as he chooses? Is this what you mean by ' our Government really means business'? I guess democracy and transparency are meaningless labels in your dictionary right? Ministers are meant to be accountable. The minister in question has to account for his actions. Why did he choose to accept a free flight to Spain + free tickets to a football match for himself and his relatives in obvious breach of the ministerial code? Is such behaviour so part and parcel of our national psyche that ministers who transgress are immediately absolved without the bat of an eye lid? Even to the extent that the breach of the code of ethics is sanctioned by the Prime minister. Are we so resigned to this culture that we feel nothing can ever change and simply disengage? How does this help the democratic process in Malta? Why should European Malta keep tolerating such unethical behaviour?
If you are a "real gentleman" you should resign immediately. Conflict of interest is evident and the Ministers' code of ethics clearly states that NO gifts whatsoever should be accepted since they might be deemed to create an "obligation". This applies also to the ministers' spouses and minor children.
If for once you want us to believe you, you have to opt only for one option...........RESIGN.....
What really is surprising is the fact that the PM has let himself being roped in to the conflict too.
You have classified us Maltese as either "cwiec" or "untouchables".
Please let us know, are you an "untouchable" or a "cuc"?
:)
If you are still stating that you did nothing wrong why did you ask the Prime Minister for permission?
It is unfortunate, however, that historic events where political affairs have been "trashed and hidden" under the public eyes, and, I still dream (perhaps to no avail) to see the day when I can feel that justice has treated everyone equally. Let's hope that this issue is dealt with transparently.
Certain political figures (Mr. Berlusconi. who is accused of corruption etc) have been stripped of diplomatic immunity by the EU who Courts, and, hopefully their actions will be scrutinized by the legal system. It would be nice to see that happening over here, wouldn't it?
This Dr Gonzi is one of the many reasons why you are turning so many people like me into floating voters. Enough is enough.
I think that you're forgetting who started all this. Let me remind you that it was Franco Debono, last Saturday who stated that minister Fenech could have a conflict of interest due to his irresponsible attitude. Irresponsible viz his role as a minister (thus also viz his parliamentary colleagues) and his accountability viz the Maltese people.
Your are repeating yourself becuase you already mentioned these thingns a day or so ago. You seem to be stuck in the 70's - perphas you have an axe oops sorry a hatchet to grind!.
One mistake does not justify another.
What you view as venial may well be a mortal.sin.
And what a coincidence that all the gaming/gambling issues arose around the same time of the bidding for the management of the Dragonara Casino!! Bil Malti nghidu KUMBINAZJIONI!!! Imma tghid vera kummbinazjioni!!??
If you ask me … this is a total insult to each and every Maltese person’s integrity!
Sorry, old chap, we DON'T BELIEVE YOU.
I am sorry, Hon. Minister, but it's not the PM's confidence alone you should look for, but that of the people and those who voted for you and for your Party. I am sorry to note that this is a slippery slope. You should not have gone on that trip. You should lead a modest life, if you are to be respected by those who really matter. You should be reading the context around which you and your Party are governing and be more prudent than you are proving to be. These are not the Nationalist Ministers that I, for one, am used to!
Persons under police custody were beaten - including a handicapped person. The Prime Minister stated in Parliament that the injuries were SELF INFLICTE.D There were at least two murders and two frame ups, but it seems that this was OK under Socialist Regime. Corruption was institutionalised, Banks used to 'lend' money with no guarantees
The Prime Minister used to go holdaying on businessmen's yachts, for days - if not weeks, no one dared to even think the PM should resign. Labour thugs and some policemen had the best time of their life beating and shoorting at PN supporters.
Few opposed such things, the Times, EFA, PN, the Church, the MUT and others, and they received their payment - we have recently celebratyed 30 years of such happenings.
I may be tempted to say that Tonio should have known better, but his mistake compared
to the above, is not even a venial sin .
THE PAST IS PASSED AND SHOULD NOT BE MENTIONED, OOPS, I FOFGOT TO BURY MY HATCHET!
Michael Seychell
Tal-Pieta
Can somebody confirm or deny this? If affirmative, Minister Tonio Fenech could have easily used these tickets for the Arsenal and Wembledon trips whithout risking his credibility. He said he paid for his own accomodation and I presume food too.
http://www.mpo.gov.mt/downloads/psmcrevised.pdf
(section 7.1.9.1 and .2)
... I just wonder how they'll 'interpret' this one!?
I would agree with you if Tonio Fenech was the auditor of companies in which Mr Joe Gasan or Mr George Fenech had an interest.
Tonio Fenech resigned from Pricewaterhousecoopers as soon as he was elected MP over 6 years ago. Just like you and me, he is free to socialise with whoever he wishes. He should not resign.
Any serious code of conduct or ethics will include not only the obligation to avoid situations which result (or may result) in a real and actual Conflict of Interest but also to avoid situations that result (or may result) in an apparent Conflict of Interest . . . ! Your actions are seen to have embarrassed the Government, the Prime Minister and the Party not to mention seriously compromising your position and laying all three wide open to the criticism and mud-slinging of the opposition. Moreover, even if there was no actual conflict, there certainly was an apparent one!
Your reason for not offering your resignation does not hold water and impresses nobody, the proper thing to do was to have offered your resignation and IF the Prime Minister still maintains his faith in your integrity, he would have refused to accept it . . . that is how the way things work and you would have emerged from this debacle with at least some credibility and honour. Right now neither are worth squat!
I remember you on Net tv continually harking about Labour's conflict on interest on several different subjects. I never thought that some years later, you would be involved in such a SERIOUS case. Whatever you and the PM says, we out here are waiting for your resignation and this , (at least) for the second time around in a few days time; because even on the VAT scandal there is a very, very heavy load of responsibility to carry, isn't there?
If it was the previous legislation then he would probably not have made this statement cause it would have been easier to happen, as was the case of John Dalli. But this is a different situation and thus minister will risk nothing, viz his PM, cause the latter would not jeopardize his role as PM because of some sub-ordinate. Right? Nevertheless, in the course of time this will still reflect badly on Dr Gonzi. History will remind us, as was the case of Dr. Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, how he (the PM) kept clinching to power even though his party was crumbling and his (and his government's) lack of vision and action-taking, bad decisions and arrogance, worstened the economic and the social, situation of the country and its people.
They also expect us Maltese to be imbecile and accept that Mr. Fenech was blackmailed by an anonymous writer!! What did this anonymous writer expect in return for not revealing the minister's and the Prime minster's blunder? How can the minister claim to have a clear conscience? Is it really possible no one of Dr. Gonzi and Mr. Fenech realised that their position was being compromised considering the programme of works the government had for the immediate future?
Come on gentlemen please treat us like average intelligent people at least. By the way what happened to ethical and honourable behaviour?
The least thing Mr. Fenech can do is resign now before the bill is passed through parliament.
The only way a maltese MP/Minister would ever leave the comfort of the Seat is by being voted out in an election OR dying in Office!
In my living memory, only one person had the guts and moral fibre to resign; MLP's Charles Mangion.
I took me completely by surprise when in the midst of of the silly season we suddenly witnessed their clamp dowm.
With hindsight now I wonder whether this was just a a great camouflage for things to follow!
and we all know what heavyweights are capable of...... with their weight.........
how can this be taken just as a friendship?? how can the government issue any laws which will go against the interests of these heavyweights?
the situation has now really gone down the drain.
Our PM is expected to lead by example t - if we in turn are expected to continue enjoying our confidence in him..
No more lame excuses, please!
this is a good enough reason to resisgn
Don't expect the unexpected, it is the voters who should make them pack up and leave the office, otherwise they keep pulling our legs. It is only we that pay fuel charges when travelling, Tonio Fenech got a free of charge ride, didn't he?
The Public Service managment Code ( 2007 ) clearly stgates so . It would seem Ministers are above the code (see .www.mpo.gov.mt/downloads/psmcrevised.pdfc section 7.1.9.1 and .2).
The Prime minister is as naive as the Minister since he gave his blessing for the trip. May I remind the Prime minister and Minister what Public Service Management Code (2007) states about gifts :
7.1.9.1.& 2 " Public officers shall not accept gifts or benefits or promises of gifts or benefits if, considering the circumstances, this could be interpreted as intended or likely to cause the officials to do their job in a particular way or deviate from the proper course of duty or as an inducement which might place officials under an obligation or as a reward ......This principle applies not only to public officers but also to their families or partners."
Ministers it seems are either above this code,unaware of its existence or assume that only the behaviour of lesser mortals needs to be regulated!
Malta needs a new fresh Election to stop this Island from becomming a gicso puzzle.
If a civil servant accepts even a box of choclates, he will be disciplined if caught. Civil servents are even prohibited from finding a sponsor for the childrens' Christmas party.
Yet the honorable minister is picturing himself as a victim because people are picking on him for accepting a gift worth hundreds of Euro!
Please Tonio resign if you consider yourself as a gentleman.
Ministers, politicians, businessmen are invited to a number of events ranging from dinners to weddings – it’s a fact of life. Acceptance of these invitations does not automatically mean ‘business collusion’, ‘corruption’ or ‘conflict of interest’. Such deals could be done in other ways, so should ministers be barred from meeting businessmen, using a phone or a computer to send emails?
Private jets evoke a sense of glamour which in turn evoke a sense of envy in some people. This envy is exploited by the Left for their own agenda. In this country we do not know how to mind our own business.
Wonder how they killed flying time don't you?
The public in general means nothing
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/yes-minister-you-must-fly-economy-1867283.html
People attempt to blackmail a peron when that person happens to have a skeleton in his/her cupboard.
Mr Fenech said he had sought clearance from the Prime Minister before accepting to accompany George Fenech and Joe Gasan, on the former's private jet. If this is the case why did the prime minister authorise this trip.
I find this unacceptable and yes I can confirm to the minister and for that matter to the prime minister as well the allegations have dented even further the credibility of the whole PN administation.
One leads by example. I had many offers for free holidays in my time but I never accepted.
So why should you Hon. Minister Fenech accept.
The phrase ' couple of honest people' hurts a lot! It certainly hurts the large majority of the electorate!
A Whistle Blowers Act will certainly stop such behaviour or blackmailers as referred to by Hon. Minister. May I ask why such an Act terrifies the present Administration?
Hon. Minister please note!
Do the right things resign, and Dr Gonzi follow him as your party has lost all respect.
I think that you do not happen to be a minister where the tickets offered to you are offered by those who have an interest in what you decide as a minister.
Do you remember the DUBAI CASE and the "plejtu" that the Nationalist media has done about that case. One must point out that they were parliamentary members from the opposition and not MINISTERS who are in a position to legislate as Mr Fenech is!
Will anyone be surprised if George Fenech wins the management of the Dragonara Casino bid?
The decent thing to do would be for the Minister to resign. But I doubt we will see this here in Malta.
Which might be concluded that those few are only those you care about either professionally or personally? While the other few thousand whom might have been, to say the least, stupefied by your sport foray, are not worth of your concern!
it is that such circumstances that politicians at best naively let themselves into, erode the credibility of the politician involved and send the wrong message.
And by the way Dr. Gonzi, where are we with the much awaited Transparent Party Financing?
Is the status quo so comfortable?
If Tonio Fenech, in his defence, now states that he had clearance from Prime Minister Lawrenece Gonzi, one should then ask whether it would not be appropriate, and politically correct, if Lawrence Gonzi and Tonio Fenech both resigned from their office.
This very abominable story reflects the well known cliche in Malta:
FLIMKIEN KOLLOX POSSIBLI
Whatever the case it is seen as you have a conflict of interest, thus you should avoid getting into these situations from the outset!!
At this point your only saving grace is to RESIGN. In a proper democratic society you would have been hounded down already!
If you did not want all this controversy that now surrounds you and your party, you should have refrained from this invitation. Again if you were a Minister in a large a 600 members Parliament assembly, this situation would not have arisen but you are fully aware that this is Malta and you are one of only a dozen or so Ministers as well as you are fully aware that you have an opposition party who will jump at the chance of making a mountain out of a molehill which is standard political practice on our Islands, so why get involved in the first instance.
And finally all this to watch Arsenal, MU would have been worth the risk!
The Maltese voters have the right to ask questions.
A minister holds a very high office thus he must set a very high example to the people. Mr. Fenech, if it can be interpreted as a conflict of interest then don't go with these people. Keep clean. With your paycheck I am sure you could have afforded to go with your family with Air Malta.
I don't like these gambling parlors at all, but I do not blame them interpreting your actions this way.
We have given our own interpretation of 'conflict of interst' outside the definiion found in english dictionaries - of course to suit our requirements.
As regards the culture of resignations this certainly did not catch on in Malta. In the scan instances it was offered it was surprsinly nearly never accepted.
What a shame. The PN MPs should reunite like in the days of Eddie. Austin, JPO, Tonio Fenech, Franco Debono, Arrigo... everyone seems to be pulling the PN rope in different directions.
You may have the confidence of the Prime Minister, but I doubt what respect you can expect from rational voters. You and members of the family are being treated in this way just because you are the minister of finance and nothing else - shame on all involved.
The least you can do if not resign is to take an affidavit stating that no government-private business matters were discussed during this wonderful free holiday.
To add insult to injury the Minister is playing the victim.