The man at the centre of the Café Premier affair has claimed that he had asked someone “close” to former tourism minister Mario de Marco to pass on the message that the place was for sale.

Mario Camilleri has clarified that he never spoke directly to Dr de Marco about a proposal for the government to buy back the leasehold of the loss-making business, but that he had asked someone else to raise the matter with the former tourism minister. 

Mr Camilleri would not divulge the identity of the person he spoke to, insisting he would first have to seek the individual’s permission if it became necessary to name him. 

Mr Camilleri, one of the shareholders of Café Premier, told Times of Malta on Wednesday that he had approached the previous administration to see whether the government was interested in buying back the property, mentioning Dr de Marco by name.

Dr de Marco has denied ever having a conversation with Mr Camilleri on the establishment’s finances or telling him that the deal could not be discussed because it was too close to the election.

When contacted, Dr de Marco yesterday confirmed that a third party had mentioned Mr Camilleri’s proposal.

“I was going on a radio programme and the host told me he had been approached by Mario Camilleri to ask me whether the government would be interested in buying back the Café Premier concession,” Dr de Marco said.

He could not recall any discourse on the financial situation of the Premier. “I told this person I don’t see any reason why the government should be interested but I cut short shrift. After all, the Land Department was not even under my wing. What the other person told Mario Camilleri I have no control over.” 

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