Kurt Sansone
Crackdown affected businessman who travelled with minister
The government's decision to close gambling halls affected one of the businessmen who accompanied the finance minister on a trip to a football match, Parliam-entary Secretary Jason Azzopardi has told The Sunday Times.
Coming to the defence of Tonio Fenech over his trip on a private jet to an Arsenal match in Spain with two prominent businessmen last April, Dr Azzopardi said somebody tried to "maliciously" harm the minister for taking the courageous decision to close gaming outlets.
"He closed gaming shops that also belonged to one of the businessmen on the trip," Dr Azzopardi told The Sunday Times in an interview.
He did not give any details, but it is understood that he may have been referring to the business interest of Joe Gasan in a number of bingo halls, which were hit by the crackdown.
Mr Gasan had provided the match tickets for free, which he obtained through Ford's sponsorship of the Champions League, though the finance minister said he paid for his one-night accommodation in a hotel.
Both travelled on the private jet of another businessman, George Fenech, who has an interest in casinos and is also bidding for the management lease of the Dragonara Casino.
Describing the affair as a storm in a teacup, Dr Azzopardi said: "He should be applauded for having the courage to take decisions that were long overdue.
He would have done something wrong if his decisions or behaviour benefitted somebody."
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D Farrugia
Oct 25th 2009, 15:45
Another MP that sees nothing wrong with breaching the code of ethics!!
He is part of the younger generation of the PN. Its really time for them go back to the opposition. Hopefully they will wake up and provide the much needed Right wing that is totally lacking in this country.
Charles DeMicoli
Oct 25th 2009, 15:24
So, PS Azzopardi sees nothing wrong with a minister taking freebies and favors from businessmen. In other countries, this is bribery. If this is not wrong, Jason, what else is not wrong?!?
Cecil Herbert Jones
Oct 25th 2009, 13:03
The problem with politics in Malta is that it is never the point which is argued over but the integrity of the person arguing. No wonder we miss the forest for the woods. This however will not change so easily and Minister Tonio Fenech, Mr. Joe Gasan, and Mr. George Fenech should have known better......or were they looking at the forest and not the woods?
philip pace
Oct 25th 2009, 11:45
So now we have a collegue who is adding more ingredients to the Maltese soup 'kawlata'.
How his words have no effect now for two reasons:-
1. His defense is too late and unconvincing
2. The supreme people have already reached a verdict which shall be announced when elections come again in three years time, since that the person in question had neither the decency to resign or to (as mildly and lamely suggested) publicly apologize.
He should have resigned.