Statements made by architect Albert Cauchi to the inquiry on bad workmanship at Mater Dei Hospital were a lie, former Health Minister John Dalli said this afternoon.

In a statement, in which he said that whoever was responsible for the bad workmanship at the hospital should be held fully accountable, Mr Dalli referred to a news conference heard earlier today by Claudio Grech and Claudette Buttigieg, and said it was pathetic that they picked on a statement by Mr Cauchi and were spinning it “in their latest phobic attack on me”.

Mr Cauchi said; "then Minister Dalli came in and was in charge of the Cost Plus, he was everything.  All the subcontractors came from him"

Mr Dalli said Mr Cauchi did not get very nice character references from people who worked with him.

“I do not know him therefore I cannot judge.  However, I declare that these statements by Cauchi are a lie.

“1.      The Cost + contract was owned and administered by FMS.

“2.      FMS appointed Howarth-CLS/E.C.Harris as cost controllers on the project. (Times of Malta 2 October 2004)

“3.      I have NEVER introduced any contractor, sub contractor or supplier to the project.

“4.      Arch Martin Attard Montaldo asserted that the ultimate decision on choice of subcontractor rested with Skansa JV

“5.      Arch Martin Attard Montaldo also insisted, following specific questioning by the Board, that he was never subject to any political pressure to favour any specific subcontractor.  In fact he was requested by me to issue a declaration to this effect following the controversy regarding the involvement of my brother.

“6.      Mentioning my brother, it should also be mentioned that when the Cost + agreement was signed, my brother had been completely out of the project for 4 years.  This puts paid to the insinuations and innuendoes being spun by the PN spokespersons.”