Borg Olivier says he told projects manager to contact police on claims against Mayor

PN General Secretary Paul Borg Olivier told a court today that he had advised the former Projects Manager at Sliema local council to speak to the police and to a lawyer after he claimed that then Mayor Nikki Dimech had demanded money from him.

Dr Borg Olivier was among those who gave evidence during the continuation of the compilation of evidence against Mr Dimech, who is accused of seeking a bribe in order to renew Stephen Buhagiar's contract as projects manager.

Dr Borg Olivier said that after Mr Buhagiar's contract with the council was terminated, Mr Buhagiar spoke to him and made allegations about Mr Dimech.

He immediately advised him to speak to a lawyer and the police.

Dr Borg Oivier said he also raised the matter with the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Chris Said, who launched an investigation.

Alseia Borg, an assistant principal at Sliema Council, said that Mr Buhagiar's work was never discussed in the council during the six months of his probation period, but at one time, as the probation period came to its end, the Mayor phoned her to say he could not preside over a council meeting. He also asked her to tell the Deputy Mayor to raise the issue of whether the contract should be renewed.

PC Francis Rogers, who administers the cells at police headquarters, was asked questions in view of reports of mistreatment of Mr Dimech while in police custody.

He said that he had decided to put Mr Dimech in a cell with a door formed of iron bars because such cells had more air than those cells with normal doors with a hatch.

Mr Dimech appeared nervous but normal in the circumstances

At one time Mr Dimech asked him for his inhaler.

The police contacted a friend of Mr Dimech and the mayor's girlfriend turned up with an inhaler, which was immediately handed to Mr Dimech.

When the Mayor was called up for interrogation, , PC Rogers said he gave the inhaler to one of the escorting officers to ensure it was easily available, should it be needed.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said and the Director of the Local Council Department, Martin Bugelli, also gave evidence where they confirmed that Mr Buhagiar had sent them an e-mail claiming irregularities by the Mayor. The claims were passed on for investigation.