Those involved in the ‘Swissleaks’ scandal must come clean and carry responsibility, whoever they are, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said this evening.
'Swissleaks' refers to a list of HSBC Geneva account holders leaked to a group of journalists earlier this month. Many used Swiss accounts for tax avoidance purposes
In a reaction to the press statement issued by Michael Falzon earlier today, Dr Busuttil said said he did not consider it acceptable for people in public office or in political positions to be among those involved 'in this scandal'.
"People in public office or in political positions caught up in this scandal - whoever they may be - must come clean and carry their responsibility at law.
"Furthermore, if any person on these lists has any official connection with the Nationalist Party he or she should consider himself or herself suspended immediately from the Party."
Dr Busuttil said that while it was obvious that any person involved should immediately get his or her tax position 100% in line with the law and pay whatever is due, if at any stage these persons breached other laws, they must come clean and carry responsibility for their behaviour.
"If any of their funds in the Swiss bank were due in any way to an abuse of any official position they must pay for this betrayal of public trust to the fullest extent possible."
He noted that Mr Falzon has stated that there was no connection with his past political activities and that he has suspended himself for the time being from political activities within the PN and from his position on the Oil Procurement Committee.
"Nevertheless, his suspension from the Party itself must be considered as having immediate effect. His position on the Oil Public Procurement Committee – as the appointee of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat – has also become untenable."
GOVERNMENT SAYS IT IS FOLLOWING UP ALL INFORMATION
In a statement, the government pointed out that it has already asked the Swiss authorities to pass on information on accounts connected to Malta. Similar information was also being sought on other data issued a few years ago and which was not followed-up.
The government said that if the local media had information, it should pass it on to the authorities, while protecting the source.