Michael Ferry denies recording Zarb conversation

Michael Ferry, who was present during the taped conversation between General Workers’ Union general secretary Tony Zarb, former GWU deputy general secretary Geitu Mercieca and businessman Domenic Gafà, has written to Mr Zarb to deny having recorded the conversation.

In the conversation, broadcast by Net television, Mr Zarb appears to suggest that he would be able to assist Mr Gafà’s company with tenders, particularly under a Labour Government, should his employees join the GWU.

Mr Ferry, a consultant to Mr Gafà, was reacting to Mr Zarb’s interview in yesterday’s The Times, in which the GWU general secretary, when asked if he knew the meeting would be recorded, said:

“I can assure you I did not and that is why I am hurt. This is a betrayal. And I can definitely say it was nor me or Mr Mercieca who recorded it. That leaves two people: Mr Ferry and Mr Gafà.”

Mr Ferry told Mr Zarb: “I hereby declare that at no point in time was I in possession of any recording equipment to record the conversation in whole or in part, nor was I aware that any such recording was taking place. I hereby confirm that I was not the person recording this conversation or had anything to do with it.”

Mr Ferry added that the substance of the meeting was Tony Zarb’s insistence on the protection of workers’ rights and not pushing for any favouritism towards one private contractor or another.