Former Finance Minister Tonio Fenech reiterated this evening that the clock he had received as a gift from rogue oil trader's George Farrugia's sister in law was in no way related to any case of corruption.

He was testifying in the Public Accounts Committee this evening, which is this evening continuing with its interrogation of Former Finance Minister Tonio Fenech.

The committee is considering oil procurement procedures by Enemalta between 2008 and 2011. Mr Fenech assumed responsibility for Enemalta in March 2010.

Mr Fenech said that Mrs Farrugia later said that the gift had not been for him but for his wife.

Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said he had earlier said that Mrs Farrugia had given him the clock because she admired him. Which was the correct version.

Mr Fenech said that her version in court was that the gift had been for his wife.

In line with the code of ethics, MPs only had to declare gifts if they influenced their decisions in any way.

Since, the gift was from a person, who as far as he knew, rented cars, he did not feel he had to declare it and his acceptance of it was not in breach of the code. He did not feel it was a gift aimed at influencing him.

Moreover, it was not a €5,000 gift as had been claimed but one which cost a few hundred euros.

His judgement, he said, was right because no attempt was ever made at influencing him. This was also confirmed by former Police Commissioner John Rizzo in court.

It was only six years later that these people were investigated by the police.

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said they were only caught six years later, the facts took place earlier.