(Adds government reaction)

PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami this morning lashed out at the government on the involvement of Msida Labour deputy mayor Alex Sciberras in the inquiry about the weak concrete at Mater Dei hospital, which is being headed by Dr Sciberras's father, Judge Philip Sciberras.

“Labour activist Dr Sciberras is the one grilling the witnesses and this confirms that the scope of this inquiry is to score political points, as the probe is not impartial,” he said.

Dr Fenech Adami made these remarks at a PN press conference this morning in which he reacted to the statement made in Parliament last night by Health Minister Konrad Mizzi, who confirmed that Dr Sciberras had been requested to provide “legal support” to the inquiry.

The PN deputy leader said such decision was “unacceptable” as it was undermining the impartiality of the probe. He said the government seemed intent to score political points, but was not keen to establish the name of the contractors who had been responsible for laying the weak Mater Dei concrete in 1996.

Asked if they were pointing their fingers at Bastjan Dalli, (former Minister John Dalli's brother, who this week confirmed he had supplied some of the concrete), Dr Fenech Adami said whoever was responsible must answer for their deeds.

The PN also lashed out at PBS news editor Reno Bugeja, accusing him of “blatant manipulation” in a news item in yesterday’s evening news bulletin. The party also filed a protest with the station (see pdf link below).

During the news conference the PN aired a short clip in which the PBS newscaster was heard saying that Minister Mizzi had confirmed in Parliament that Dr Sciberras was not involved in the inquiry.

“This is blatant manipulation of the truth and we are requesting PBS to make a correction immediately,” Justice Shadow Minister Jason Azzopardi said. 

Asked about the matter later, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said Judge Sciberras was an authority on civil damages and his work on the inquiry was in line with the Inquiries Act.

In a statement, the government said Dr Sciberras was assigned to legally assist the inquiry and was acting under its direction.

The real story the Opposition was trying to hide was that weak concrete was used at Mater Dei hospital, which had cost the people more than €600 million, and some €30 million were needed for the necessary repairs.