The account Transport Minister Austin Gatt holds in a Swiss bank was never listed in his declaration of assets to Parliament, despite Dr Gatt having held a ministerial position since 1998, Labour Leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday.

“It was never mentioned in his declaration because he only listed a lump sum. I don’t know if it includes this bank account too but it’s unheard of. This raises more doubts and more questions,” he said.

Dr Gatt last night acknowledged the omission, saying he had forgotten about the account first opened by his father 40 years ago, and said he would make a correction to the declaration of assets. The account, he added, had only accumulated interest over the years.

Referring to Dr Gatt’s press conference denying his involvement in the oil procurement scandal, Dr Muscat said this statement revealed yet another contradiction on this issue. Whereas until three days ago Dr Gatt was saying he did not remember meeting an agent of oil procurement companies in Malta, he now admitted meeting him at least once every three months.

Dr Muscat, who was being interviewed on the television programme TX, said there was also a contradiction on the subject of the meetings since the e-mails showed these had nothing to do with his constituency.

He said Dr Gatt’s press conference also raised eyebrows since there were people who had to testify on this issue and who now know his version.

“Was the statement Dr Gatt gave to the police different to what he said publicly? Was there anything he said to the police which he did not say today?” he asked.

Dr Muscat said Dr Gatt’s statement and contradictions placed more responsibility on Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi who had endorsed him.

“He is now politically responsible for the contradictions. Austin Gatt took big decisions throughout this legislature and did not shoulder responsibility for them, such as BWSC and the Arriva fiasco. Anyone who has common sense can see how he is playing with words and taking people for a ride. He cannot even face the electorate because he is not contesting the election so the judgement turns onto Dr Gonzi.”