The Prime Minister believes it was his chief of staff’s “duty” to phone the Police Commissioner after hearing allegations that the arrest of defector Cyrus Engerer’s father had been politically motivated.
Edgar Galea Curmi is facing calls for resignation over the matter by Labour leader Joseph Muscat,who also said the Prime Minister should take a stand and immediately sack his right-hand man for interference.
“I would sack the head of Secretariat the day I learn that faced with an accusation of abuse of power by the police, he does not take immediate action and phone the Police Commissioner, asking for an explanation,” Lawrence Gonzi told The Sunday Times in reply.
“It was his duty to act immediately upon the slightest hint that the police were politically motivated in their actions,” Dr Gonzi added.
Last Tuesday Dr Gonzi had been questioned about the sequence of events which led to Mr Engerer being issued with a series of charges within days of his father (Chris Engerer) facing arrest over drug possession.
Dr Gonzi had told the press the government “does not interfere with police work”, while his spokesman later categorically denied that the government was targeting Mr Engerer and his family.
After being approached by the Sliema deputy mayor, Mr Galea Curmi had called Police Commissioner John Rizzo to meet Chris Engerer’s lawyer and assure him the case was not politically motivated by explaining the sequence of events.
Mr Rizzo refused to accede to the request because he felt it blurred the lines between politics and police work.
In an opinion piece today (page 17), Mr Galea Curmi echoes Dr Gonzi’s sentiments, but “with hindsight” admits this phone call “could well have been a mistake”.
This is because Mr Engerer, who happens to be his Confirmation godson, was “not at all interested in being reassured that PN governments do not interfere in the work of the police”.
After explaining his intentions behind the phone call, Mr Galea Curmi says: “The Labour leader is now twisting the facts and portraying me as if I were putting pressure on the Police Commissioner to harm a Labour supporter and his father. The facts show that I did nothing of the sort.”
Mr Engerer switched party allegiance on July 15 citing irreconcilable differences with the Prime Minister over the divorce issue. Almost immediately, he became an active member of the Labour Party.
The phone call in question took place on Friday, July 22, in the presence of Mr Engerer.
It was made public on Tuesday during a press conference addressed by the Police Commissioner.
Meanwhile, Mr Galea Curmi yesterday took legal action against Malta Today for implicating him in another politically contentious case involving former Alternattiva Demokratika chairman HarryVassallo.
Mr Galea Curmi also libelled One News for repeating these claims in an interview.
Timeline:
June, 2009
Cyrus Engerer is elected Sliema councillor with the Nationalist Party.
January, 2010
Ex-boyfriend Marvic Camilleri files a police report saying pornographic images of him were stolen from his computer and e-mailed to his employers. His main suspect is Engerer.
September 22, 2010
Mr Engerer is appointed deputy mayor after mayor Nikki Dimech is ousted.
June 23, 2011
Police interrogate Mr Engerer on Mr Camilleri’s claims after investigation by Cyber Crime Unit. According to Mr Engerer, inspector says case will probably be heard behind closed doors.
July 6, 2011
Police receive a tip-off from known informant that Mr Engerer’s father Chris sells drugs from his bar in Sliema. No action is taken yet.
July 9, 2011
Mr Engerer meets inspector at gay pride. He tells him charges will be filed and first hearing will probably be in October. Mr Engerer says “the sooner the better”.
July 15, 2011
Mr Engerer resigns from PN and joins the Labour Party after Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi maintains his anti-divorce vote.
July 21, 2011
Police raid Chris Engerer’s bar and home after getting search warrant. He is found smoking a joint and carrying five grams of cannabis.
July 22, 2011
Cyrus Engerer calls his godfather Edgar Galea Curmi (the Prime Minister’s chief of staff) and asks if the raid on his father is politically motivated. While chatting, they bump into each other in Mdina and Mr Galea Curmi calls Police Commissioner John Rizzo in the presence of Mr Engerer to investigate the allegations. After receiving assurances from Mr Rizzo, Mr Galea Curmi asks him to meet Chris Engerer’s lawyer and give the same assurances. Mr Rizzo refuses.
July 25, 2011
Police file charges against Cyrus Engerer in the case of Mr Camilleri. The Times gets hold of the charge sheet and contacts Mr Engerer, who prefers not to comment.
July 26, 2011
The Times reports that Mr Engerer was charged for computer misuse, pornography and vilification of Mr Camilleri dating back to December 2009 and January 2010. Mr Camilleri’s lawyers say he wants to drop the charges.
Commissioner Rizzo addresses a press conference, explains timeline of cases involving Christopher and Cyrus Engerer and calls for a separate government inquiry to clear the police’s name.
He says Mr Camilleri never told police to drop charges and the police will pursue Cyrus Engerer’s case ex-officio anyway.
Mr Rizzo tells reporters he could not accede to Mr Galea Curmi’s request so as not to cross the line between politics and police work.
Justice Ministry appoints inquiry headed by retired judge Albert Manché.
Labour leader Joseph Muscat calls for Mr Galea Curmi’s resignation over “interference”. He says Cyrus Engerer is a victim of an orchestrated effort and his alleged crime is simply a “private matter”.
July 27, 2011
Mr Galea Curmi defends his actions and says his call to the Police Commissioner was “administrative” and he never spoke to Mr Rizzo on investigations. He says he will not resign.
July 28, 2011
Mr Engerer’s lawyer Franco Debono files judicial protest against the police and courts due to leak of charge sheet to The Times.
He later claims the investigation he wants has already been prejudiced by Mr Rizzo whosaid charge sheet was a public document.
July 29, 2011
Mr Camilleri sacks his newly-appointed lawyers Andy Ellul and Vince Micallef over their connection to the Labour Party and tells The Times he wants justice after all.