The court has been requested to wait for the testimony of the chairman of a technical committee evaluating the bid for a new casino licence before passing judgment on a plea to freeze the competitive process.

In an urgent application filed this afternoon, Dragonara Gaming Ltd, which is contesting the government’s decision to name Eden Leisure as the preferred bidder, said the court should be allowed to hear committee chairman Judge Geoffrey Valenzia following allegations by a journalist that the chairman of the Privatisation Unit, Manuel Camilleri, lied under oath.

In its application, the company presented a declaration under oath by Media Link Communications journalist Joe Mikallef stating that he had seen the conclusive report of the Valenzia committee which recommended that the concession should be given to Dragonara.

Yesterday, the chairman of the Privatisation Unit testified that he had received instructions from Economy Minister Chris Cardona to dissolve the committee mid-way through the evaluation process.

He said that since he had obeyed these instructions, the committee presided by Judge Valenzia had not concluded its deliberations and did not file a report.

According to Dragonara Gaming Ltd, Mr Camilleri’s declarations were being contradicted by a journalist whowas stating he saw this report.

It asked the court to wait for the judge’s return to Malta and to hear his testimony to establish who was saying the truth.

Judge Valenzia is expected back in Malta on Friday.