The Auditor-General, Charles Deguara, has rejected calls by former Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon for addenda to his report on the Gaffarena property expropriations process, saying in a letter to the Speaker that any required clarifications had been made in meetings of the House Business Committee.

Reacting to a speech in parliament by Dr Falzon earlier this month, the auditor stood by the report and those involved in drawing it up.

Auditor-General Charles Deguara.

He stressed that the impartiality of his Office was a sacred principle and every employee was bound by strict rules and a code of professional conduct.

The auditor said it was he and his deputy who set the agenda of the work of his office, and no one else.

He denied that other work was sidelined while work was done on the Gaffarena investigation.

The auditor denied that an employee mentioned by Dr Falzon, Antoine Calleja, was involved in the investigation on the expropriations. He also denied that any member of staff had celebrated the outcome of any report.

Dr Falzon had also referred to the employment at the NAO of the daughter of the former head of the civil service Godwin Grima, saying that she had insisted on having new business cards printed out with her new designation, before she had even been chosen for the post.

Mr Deguara said these allegations were “misguided” and the business cards had been ordered 10 days after her appointment.

He said the allegations made by Dr Falzon against the National Audit Office hurt its credibility and he expressed his “unreserved disappointment.”