Former MHRA president Matthew Pace.

The former Hotels and Restaurant’s Association president is a “gentleman” for having resigned after a Times of Malta investigation revealed a string of irregularities in his businesses, according to hotelier Tony Zahra.

Matthew Pace had resigned from his post after being confronted with evidence that he had operated a restaurant and tourist accommodation without the necessary permits. He had also been given an amnesty after paying an Enemalta employee to tamper with the smart meter in his restaurant 47 Summer Nights, as well as one in another property he owns in Msida.

Contacted for his reaction, Mr Zahra, who is the MHRA senior vice president, said he was “more than satisfied” with Mr Pace’s conduct, insisting he had acted as he would expect anyone in such a situation to behave.

I think given the circumstances, he did the right thing

“The way he acted, when he resigned, to me shows what a gentleman he is,” Mr Zahra said.

When asked how he felt about the string of irregularities surrounding Mr Pace’s businesses and whether these were fitting of a gentleman, Mr Zahra replied by saying: “What did you do with those in similar positions, who didn’t offer their resignation? I think given the circumstances, he did the right thing.”

Mr Pace is currently involved in a protracted legal dispute with his restaurant’s landlord, who has been trying to evict him for several months. The owners are claiming Mr Pace carried out unsanctioned construction works on the restaurant which blocked off an adjoining bar.

Mr Pace has also been slapped with a planning enforcement notice for the setting up of an illegal canopy in front of the restaurant.

Mr Zahra would not reply as to whether the council knew about the irregularities.

However, when contacted last month, after this newspaper revealed that Mr Pace had no licence for his restaurant, the MHRA board had said they had no issue with the irregularity, as he had informed them of the licensing matter.

One member had described his attempts to regularise his position as “exemplary”.