Finance Minister Edward Scicluna this afternoon admitted he was unaware that he had to present a declaration of assets in Parliament according to MPs’ code of ethics.

Questioned over media reports that he, together with another 15 Labour MPs, had failed to submit their declarations by the end of April – a deadline established by the Speaker - Prof Scicluna admitted that he did not know he had to submit this declaration.

“I was unaware that apart from my Ministerial declaration I had also to submit a separate declaration to Parliament,” he said.

Stating that he was under the impression that his Ministerial declaration was enough, Prof Scicluna said that he contacted his Parliamentary whip (Carmelo Abela) who informed him that he had to fill in another declaration as an MP.

“I did not know this,” he said.

According to a report in The Malta Independent all PN MPs have submitted their declarations while almost half the Labour MPs, including the Prime Minister, have so far failed to do so.

In their annual declarations, MPs have to declare their assets and their income for the preceding year.