Fenech distances himself from former secretary
Tonio Fenech
Finance Minister Tonio Fenech has distanced himself from a former member of his secretariat, who admitted bribery charges in court last week.
Noel Borg Hedley, 67, from Gżira admitted to receiving bribes from property developers JPM Brothers to reduce or waive fees owed to government departments that fell under the Finance Ministry in 2008. Mr Borg Hedley had been Mr Fenech’s canvasser and a member of the secretariat until 2007.
“The minister was not involved in any way in this case. He became aware of the allegations on November 5 last year and immediately referred the case to the police,” a spokesman for Mr Fenech said yesterday.
Mr Borg Hedley’s case has particular significance because, in 2009, JPM Brothers were contracted by Mr Fenech to perform works on his private residence in Balzan. The job ended in controversy after a subcontractor appointed by JPM Brothers alleged he was told the works on Mr Fenech’s residence were “a favour” in return for the minister’s alleged help to enable JPM Brothers sell the Jerma Palace Hotel.
Mr Fenech denied the allegations and instituted libel proceedings on the matter.
The court conditionally discharged Mr Borg Hedley, who was also given a perpetual interdiction.
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Mr Joseph Hollier
May 16th 2011, 23:40
And the Archbishop keeps smiling and not a word against these corrupt practices which have corroded the moral fibre of this country.
Francis Attard
May 16th 2011, 22:20
Fil-harga tal-'Kulhadd' tas-27 ta' Novembru 2010 f'artiklu intitolat 'Tonio Fenech jitlef id-dritt li jaghmel libell' kien hemm dan li gej:
'Fil-harga tal-'Kulhadd' tat-22 ta' Novembru 2009, kienet ixxandret intervista estensiva ma' Charles Magro, wiehed mid-diretturi tal-Kumpanija Rainbow Turnkey Projects Limited dwar xoghlijiet li allegament kienu saru "bi pjacir" fir-residenza tal-Ministru Tonio Fenech fuq inkarigu tal-ahwa Montebello li riedu jpattulu lill-Ministru tal-ghajnuna li kien qieghed jaghtihom biex ibieghu l-lukanda Jerma.
Tonio Fenech kellu 12 il-xahar skond il-ligi tal-istampa biex jiftah kawza ta' libell biex inaddaf ismu u jhares ir-reputazzjoni tieghu. Ghaddew 12 il-xahar, wiehed wara l-iehor, u Tonio Fenech baqa' m'ghamilx libell lil Charles Magro biex jigi stabbilit mill-Qorti min minhom qal il-verita.'
Issa fl-artiklu t'hawn fuq hemm li Tonio Fenech fil-fatt kien ghamlu l-libell. Ma nahsibx li dan ghamlu wara s-27 ta' Novembru 2010 ghax ma setax skond il-ligi ta' l-istampa. Mela, allura nistaqsi, il-'Kulhadd' gideb?
josephine fenech
May 16th 2011, 20:58
In other countries for more trivial circumstance than that of Tonio Fenech resigned.
One thing for sure that in Malta the culture of resignation is unknown.
Yes I feel that Tonio Fenech should resign
Mr Joe Pak
May 16th 2011, 16:34
Why should anyone resign if, unknow to him, a subordinate is involved in corruption.
Not unless he was part of the corruption and became tainted by it.
If Borg-Hedley knows something about Tonio Fenech that we dont know and is keeping mum about it even though his ex-boss was the one to take the allegation to the Police, then Borg-Hedley should be canonised a modern-day saint!
Will al the persons who wrote are suggesting that the Minister resigns, be prepared to do the same from their own job, if one of their subordinates was proven to be corrupt? Come on guys!
Ronald Zammit
May 16th 2011, 16:30
The` Hon`. Minister should do the nation a big favour by shouldering the political responsability and distance himself from the local political scene and resign his post without any further delay or excuses! If not, than it is the responsability of the Prime Minister to MAKE HIM resign!
Mr Lawrence Fenech
May 16th 2011, 13:59
Fenech should distant himself from the PN and resign and do everybody a favour. Too much is too much.
Mr Carmelo Micallef
May 16th 2011, 19:40
It is time for PN to distance itself from Tonio Fenech ... the man seems to be totally disassociated from reality
Carmel Xuereb
May 16th 2011, 12:14
No resignations of course Mr. Fenech that's one word you don't know it's meaning. But time will come when you will be asking somebody to do it but you woun't dare to do so because today you look like a coward of not standing up and say it was my responsability and offer your resignation. Maybe GonziPN woun't accept is as he did in some other instances, then you will be in the clear cause nobody can say you didn't offer your resignation. I this happened in the UK, France, Germany, USA you would have resigned just after the court case. So you prerfer to continue to drag you feet thay will lead you to your tomb Mr. Fenech.
Mr Carmelo Micallef
May 16th 2011, 12:12
Yet again, Minister Tonio Fenech is satisfied .... are the people of Malta satisfied with him?
Mr W Cassar
May 16th 2011, 11:46
If you were a minister in another country you would have resigned by now along with Cristina!!
The PN really needs to get their act together! Its no use Gonzi talks about values when actions speak louder than words.
Mr Paul Cassar
May 16th 2011, 09:59
MR MINISTER
YOU HANDPICKED HIM FOR YOUR MINISTRY SO YOU'RE THE ONE REPONSIBLE FOR HIS ACTIONS.
IN DEMOCRACIES WORTH OF NAME, FOR MUCH LESSER SHORTCOMINGS MINISTERS HONOURABLY RESIGN.
Mr Paul Micallef
May 16th 2011, 09:02
When will the Police Commissioner charge the Directors of JPM Brothers in court for allegedly bribing Minister Fenech's former aide? Mr. Borg Hedley's admission is enough evidence to charge the people involved. Mr. Borg Hedley can easily identify these individuals.
Mr Patrick Zammit
May 16th 2011, 10:00
Everybody is equal, but some are more equal than others.
Stephen Koludrovic
May 16th 2011, 10:50
Animal farm should be the bible for all aspiring politicians.