Former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi “lied” when he said he did not know the Farrugia family, Malta Today managing editor Saviour Balzan told the Public Accounts Committee today.

The committee is debating the National Audit Office inquiry into Enemalta's oil procurement policy.

Mr Balzan said that, in his opinion, Mr Farrugia should not have been given a Presidential pardon. He said it was clear that there was familiarity between Dr Gonzi and Mr Farrugia’s wife Cathy, who regularly send him chain prayers.

He said that police inspector police inspector Angelo Gafà had appealed to the Farrugia brothers to supply the police with information on George Farrugia and they were willing to help but they ended up being charged instead.

He criticised the way certain inspectors, including Angelo Gafa, carried out their interrogations destroying people because of the absurd situation that Dr Gonzi believed that the presidential pardon given to George Farrugia was gospel.

Simon Busuttil represented company that received €5 million in out of court settlement- Saviour Balzan

During the committee, Mr Balzan also said that Shell’s Malta representative was given €5 million in an out of court settlement after the Malta Resources Authority on January 15, 2013, concluded the company had not been given a fair deal.

Shell, he said, was then represented by Simon Busuttil, now Opposition leader.

The settlement, Mr Balzan said, should have raised the alarm about the procurement process in general. The timing, he said, was diabolical.

“If at that point in time, the administration knew that something was remiss in fuel procurement, why are we amazed that we are in this situation," he said.

Mr Balzan later added that the grievance by the company had started back in 2004.

Replying to questions by PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami, Mr Balzan later clarified that the company had been applying to supply aviation fuel and not that used for energy production - which was being investigated.

 

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