Government mum on whether Farrugia should resign EU post
Vince Farrugia. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
The Government will not comment on whether Vince Farrugia should resign his post on a European body for civil society after a court witness alleged he told her to lie to the police.
Mr Farrugia, director-general of the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU, was nominated to the European Economic and Social Committee by the Government in 2010, a decision that at the time was criticised by the Malta Employers’ Association.
It was “inopportune” to comment at this stage, a spokesman for the Prime Minister’s office said when asked whether Mr Farrugia’s position was tenable.
“The case you are referring to is sub judice,” the spokesman said, pointing out that nominations to the EU body were recommended by the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development.
However, MCESD chairman Sonny Portelli said the body was simply “a postman” in this affair and appointments were the Government’s responsibility.
He explained that the Government had approached the MCESD with a list of vacancies for EU posts and, as chairman, he had asked member organisations to suggest names. “We then forward these to the Prime Minister but the MCESD has nothing to do with who gets appointed,” he explained.
The compromising testimony was heard in the case filed by the police against former GRTU member Sandro Chetcuti, who is accused of assaulting Mr Farrugia at the GRTU’s office in Valletta two years ago.
The court heard Sylvia Gauci, a GRTU council member, admit lying to the police under oath when saying that she saw Mr Chetcuti standing over Mr Farrugia shouting “I will kill you”.
Ms Gauci said she did not witness the assault and was told what to say by Mr Farrugia. A text message exhibited in court sent by Mr Farrugia seems to corroborate Ms Gauci’s testimony.
Other GRTU officials implicated in the alleged attempt to exaggerate the facts to make the assault seem worse have refused to comment. GRTU president Paul Abela insisted he had done nothing wrong throughout his presid-ency to warrant a resignation.
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73 Comments
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Anthony A. Mifsud
Nov 25th 2012, 09:17
What are they waiting for? If I was in Vincent's boots 1. I would have shear the papers as this is inappropriate
Unexeptable., keeping v. Farrugia on the PN books is a fatal blow o the new comers
Ninu
Colin Camilleri
Nov 25th 2012, 08:40
These are the people leading our country! All fault of those who voted this government into power!
Ronnie Callus
Nov 25th 2012, 07:50
Iz-zejt jitla f'wicc l-ilma Sur.Farrugia. Is-sewwa jirbah zgur wara forsi tant sagrifficcji.Mhux ta'ezempju sabih lil cittadini ohra ikunu f' lima puzizzjoni, tkun xi tkun.Dawn kollha huma valuri li qed jintilfu ( jekk mhux diga intilfu) ghax wiehed zgur jasal biex jiddubita.
Tony Zammit
Nov 25th 2012, 06:07
Please don't resign... PN needs boys like you
John Holmes
Nov 25th 2012, 00:46
I think Farrugia fits well in the clikka of the PN.
Angelo Vassallo
Nov 24th 2012, 22:30
He is a liability to the Nationalist Party. Get rid of him ASAP
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 25th 2012, 10:22
Now easy does it Angelo. One has to find out whether getting rid of Vince might open a can of worms for the pn.
You see the PN always made it enemies at it's own choice irrespective of whether that was right or wrong.
Joe Muscat
Nov 24th 2012, 22:06
The Fact that the Government has stayed mum, says a lot..... Gonzi PN just does not get it....One major mistake after another......
Mario Vella
Nov 24th 2012, 20:56
rebha rmejta int minn rajk...gibt il gebla fuq saqajk!
A. Mizzi
Nov 24th 2012, 20:11
GonzPNi's CHOICE in candidates ..... and staying mum!
M Attard
Nov 24th 2012, 19:56
resign I would have taken for granted . . . the question is whether he'd be so embarrassed as never to show his face in public again, but then I remember this is Malta after all and everything goes
Pippo de Marco
Nov 24th 2012, 19:27
People in public office don't tell lies, or tell others to lie, do they ?
What, here in Malta ? - Whoever would believe it ?
Ramon Saguna
Nov 24th 2012, 19:01
The case you are referring to is sub judice - HAHA
The SMSses - what are those?
M Saliba
Nov 24th 2012, 18:31
F'dan il-kas is-Sur Vince Farrugia għandu joffri ir-riżenja tiegħu, u wara l-Gvern jara jaċċetax ir-reżenja tiegħu jew le.
A.Felex Busuttil
Nov 24th 2012, 18:00
Goverment shoud withdrawn the Gieh ir Republika honour
mark borg
Nov 24th 2012, 19:25
mela lil dan koll tawh gieh ir republika ???? ara il veru kulhadd mela johodha
saviour frendo
Nov 24th 2012, 20:10
Did not know this.....Gieh ir -Republika????????MORE SHAMEFUL THEN!!!!!!
SHAME ....SHAME ....SHAME
Eddy Privitera
Nov 24th 2012, 22:01
Vince Farrugia kienu tawh Gieh ir-Repubblika ???? Mela dan l-unur gie zvalutat !
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 25th 2012, 10:30
Farrugia maghndux dan il Titlu.
https://opm.gov.mt/imsehbin?l=1
mark borg
Nov 24th 2012, 17:51
x gharukaza
Carmel Brincau
Nov 24th 2012, 17:42
C Brincau
The way that people are being placed in high places and then they don't have the decency to resine,this is getting worrying because this could lead to some disappointed groups whom we start hearing of people getting exiquited for their responsibilities,not leaving out that Dr.Joseph Muscat should promise to prosecute any one for their behavior
GL Calleja
Nov 24th 2012, 17:41
Resign? Not unless they make me. First of all it takes a real man to resign on his own and because people say resign, one does not resign if he thinks he is innocent. A man is considered innocent until proven guilty. If a man does something wrong, then by all means fire him, but expecting one to a resign on his own is asking for too much especially in Malta, too much to lose especially in Politics
Robert Lewis
Nov 24th 2012, 16:44
If what the witness Ms Sylvia Gauci said is true, not only should he resign but also legal action should be taken against him. He has nothing more special and he is not above the law.
John Attard
Nov 25th 2012, 10:16
And what if she s lying? This could probably only be the begining........of more to come.....enjoy
Wenzu Cole
Nov 24th 2012, 16:17
mhux hekk ghara lil xi hadd bhal Dr. Alfred Sant malajr jipruvaw isalbuh.
M Grima
Nov 24th 2012, 15:50
And Mr. Farrugia expected us to vote for him in the MEP elections when he is not even man enough to resign, even temporarily until the courts come up with some form of verdict.
M Grima
Nov 24th 2012, 15:45
The GRTU are just Gonzi's puppy. That means that resignations are unheard of!!!
Charles Massa
Nov 24th 2012, 15:23
Tal PN jafu xi tfisser tirrizenja? Kemm hemm ministri li jmisshom irrizanjaw u ghadhom hemm. Saqsu lil Dr Franco Debono?
Alfred Falzon
Nov 24th 2012, 14:32
What a fiasco.
twanny borg
Nov 24th 2012, 14:11
Jirrezenja meta ma nafux min qed jigdeb?
Aristide Galea
Nov 24th 2012, 16:19
Sur Borg , li kieku kienet sempliċi kelma ta' persuna kontra kelma ta' persuna oħra , kieku wieħed kien jiddubbita xi ftit min qed jgħid il-verita'. Izda tinsiex li hemm ukoll dawk l-SMS's. Hadd ma jista jmieri dak li jkun kiteb u bagħat hu stess . Mhux hekk , Sur Borg ?
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 24th 2012, 17:20
@Aristide Galea
Jekk tipermettili Aristide
Fhimt sew issa Sur Borg Jekk le nahi il nuccali blu u malajr tifem umbad!
twanny borg
Nov 24th 2012, 22:10
jekk jien illum nghid kelma u l-ghada nghid ohra min ikun giddieb? jekk tnehhu innucali intom nahseb tindunaw.
Charles Micallef
Nov 24th 2012, 13:36
One should wait for the Court's outcome and then act accordingly!
John Attard
Nov 25th 2012, 10:14
Prosit.....you never know what s next ...........
S Farrugia
Nov 24th 2012, 13:27
If he's truly a man, you would resign, but he didn't do so, so ...
GL Calleja
Nov 24th 2012, 15:23
If being a man depends on resigning when one should, there is not too many men around, especially when it comes to politics.
Joseph Bugeja
Nov 24th 2012, 13:13
This government shows two weights two measures too much and has the cheek to ask us to confirm it in office. It is beyond redemption.
Silvio Abela
Nov 24th 2012, 13:00
I think he should at least resign temporarily until his great name is cleared or until this case is not "sub judice" any more.
Martin Saliba
Nov 24th 2012, 17:02
Great name , your being sarcastic right ?
Carmel Zammit
Nov 24th 2012, 12:42
Cal it what you will but it is a mafia style affair by any definition. Things were different in John Dalli's case!!! Not only is his case not sub judice. To my knowledge there has as yet not been a decsion to prosecute!!! How is that for equality and trasparency!!!!
John Sultana
Nov 24th 2012, 12:35
aktar min dik it testimonjanza hemm il messaggi li juru il victor jikomplota biex ikissier/joqtol lil sando. il pajjiz kollu indinja ruhu u sissa dal bniedem ghaddu f pozijoni ta potter
Joanne Micallef
Nov 24th 2012, 12:31
He shouldn't even have to be asked, but its like no one has any morals and principles any more. The PN should not condone such tactics by asking for his resignation
.
R. Borg
Nov 24th 2012, 12:19
Surely Malta does not need these type of people to represent us. One should always keep this in mind when voting in the coming election.
victor borg
Nov 24th 2012, 12:17
There's no place for these people.He should resign from all appointments.
Victor Borg
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 24th 2012, 12:14
I am sorry to say but the title of this article is misleading to say the least. The government DID comment; it saying that there is a case that is "sub judice" and only when that case is closed can the government take action. Anything different would imply that the state does not abide to the principle of "innocent until proven guilty"!
walter camilleri
Nov 24th 2012, 13:34
So what about John Dalli?
Walter Camilleri
ALBERT FENECH
Nov 24th 2012, 12:00
The word "resign" is conspicuous by its absence in a Gonzi PN dictionary/thesaurus! Just for the record ... the case against Farrugia is still an allegation, albeit made in Court under oath. Others have lied consistently and have been proved to be lying and are still there with their cheery faces and leering sarcasm.
ALBERT FENECH
Maria Mangion
Nov 24th 2012, 11:59
Araw ftit forsi nsibu lil xi hadd jikkumpara l valuri ta Alfred Sant ma ta' dan ir ragel .
Mr.W Cassar
Nov 24th 2012, 11:52
Its a non brainer .... isn't it.... only in Malta it isn't. Pfff
john muscat
Nov 24th 2012, 11:40
Il forka ghal l-izventurat u mhux ghal min hu propju hati. Ghalekk is sur Farrugia ghandu jirrizenja u mhux igib lil Gonzipn bejn sema u ilma.
Vincent Cassar
Nov 24th 2012, 11:36
Ladies and Gentlemen...dream on! The land where what should happen NEVER happens and what should NOT happen ALWAYS happens without repercussions is called MELITA!
pat muscat
Nov 24th 2012, 11:35
Imbaghad nehduha bi kbira jekk l-Ewropej jarawna xejn aktar minn Griegi u Sqallin!
joseph spiteri
Nov 24th 2012, 11:30
Do you believe some can step on somebody's foot ?
Has any protection been issued on some people?
Has circumstnstial circumstances been very circumstanstial?
There is a good saying. Its not what you know, but who you are.
God bless PN.
Victor Rodenas
Nov 24th 2012, 11:21
They will ask him about it during his grilling for sure.
A. Mizzi
Nov 24th 2012, 12:00
What grilling??? He just fits GonziPn's Bill of fare!
Victor Vella
Nov 24th 2012, 11:18
Unbelievable to what depths of evil the PN has fallen into?
Joseph Aquilina
Nov 24th 2012, 12:18
Your comments just shows the danger of having lejber in power. People kicked out of their places on allegations!! Does the concept of "innocent until proven guilty" ring a bell?? The PN government - being a civlizied government - will decide what to do after the case is closed!!
Jo Meli
Nov 24th 2012, 12:43
TIME is proving Franco Debono RIGHT !!!
Ivan M. Dingli
Nov 24th 2012, 13:00
Sur Aquilina, anka il-kaz ta John Dalli ghadu jigi investigat, pero Barroso derlu li ghandu jitlob ir-rezenja tieghu immedjatament. X'tahseb fuq dan il-punt?
Jimmy Ventura
Nov 24th 2012, 20:42
Dear Joseph,
It's the case against Sandro which is sub judice.
Gonzi's friend is not being even investigated let alone is sub judice.
With Gonzi's inaction his credibility if still he has any left, has evaporated.
Eddy Privitera
Nov 24th 2012, 11:15
U ma tarax. sejrin inehhu l-Vince ( "mhux wiehed, mhux tnejn..............." Farrugia mil-post li tawh fi Brusells ! Bizzejjed minhabba l-battikata li kien ha biex jikkonvinci lill-poplu biex itellghu HAMES deputati ta' GonziPN fil-parlament Ewropew , biex tellghu TNEJN BISS u hu baqa barra !
Ivan M. Dingli
Nov 24th 2012, 11:07
Mbaghad ghax membru ta' Kunsill Lokali uza laptop ghal affarijiet personali kien issallab!! Gustizja hehehe
George Camilleri
Nov 24th 2012, 11:06
Government mum - u zgur !!
Anthony Portelli
Nov 24th 2012, 10:47
no media trials please for anybody.
Victor Zammit
Nov 24th 2012, 12:00
Can't but agree more. The case is indeed sub iudice as OPM notes. But in the way correctness goes, such post holders, whether accused or implicated, had better go until the case is no longer sub iudice and resume following clearance. They should not only be but also be seen to be above board.
saviour frendo
Nov 24th 2012, 12:11
What do you mean no media trials????Are we in Living in communist Russia or in Malta? Or is this the kind of music that is not suitable for your ear Anthony? He is a public figure that is always present on the media and he tries to make the most of it to his personal advantage so why can't we express ourselves when he is in the wrong? OR IS HE A BLUE EYED ONE ABOVE THE LAW!!!!!!!
saviour frendo
Nov 24th 2012, 10:34
If Vince Farrugia is a gentleman(which I hope he is) after such accusations(and to add insult to injury) in court, he should resign from all public appointments. This is the only way any man of honor should re act in such circumstances, if not his reputation and esteem in the public eye will be a big zero.
George Joseph Cauchi
Nov 24th 2012, 12:26
Only in Malta. In other countries such persons tainted with serious accusations such as the revised testimony of a key witness would have warranted an instant reaction. This would be, in this case, immediate resignation of all public postings.
A. Mizzi
Nov 24th 2012, 10:19
BRAND - GonziPN!
j brincat
Nov 24th 2012, 10:16
Here nobody resigns - no matter what!
Shame!
(jb)
E. Vassallo
Nov 24th 2012, 09:39
of course he should resign. that's the most honourable thing to do in these circumstances
Alfred Vassallo
Nov 24th 2012, 12:48
Ah yes, Honor..... alas that word in Malta is the least honored.
Please choose the reason of your report below: