The Prime Minister yesterday declined to comment on the police investigation into the oil procurement scandal at Enemalta.

He was asked about weekend media reports that one of the people being investigated, Ħamrun businessman George Farrugia, had asked the authorities for a presidential pardon to test-ify for the prosecution if there are any arraignments.

Dr Gonzi said he was not in a position to give any information as this might impinge on the investigation.

While reiterating his position that the Government was prepared to recommend a presidential pardon if this was deemed instrumental in unveiling any wrongdoing, he said Cabinet would take a decision if and when it received the recommendation from the authorities, in particular the Attor-ney General.

Pressed on whether the Government was considering a request from Mr Farrugia, Dr Gonzi insisted that he could not give out such information at this stage.

Police have already questioned Mr Farrugia, a former shareholder of John’s Garage who used to represent oil company Trafigura, as well as former Enemalta chairman Tancred Tabone and Frank Sammut, a former consultant to Mr Tabone.

The investigation was launched following the publication of invoices by Malta Today purportedly showing sums of money paid by Trafigura to Mr Sammut for oil purchases by Enemalta.