Updated - Adds Simon Busuttil tweet - Economy Minister Chris Cardona has challenged Opposition leader Simon Busuttil to take action against Beppe Fenech Adami following allegations regarding his home in Gharghur.
Speaking at a Labour Party press conference, Dr Cardona said that if Dr Busuttil wanted to be credible about his declarations on high standards in public life, he needed to practice what he preached.
Dr Cardona said there were a series of 'coincidences' regarding Dr Fenech Adami's property which had made it worth millions of euro more than it was originally worth.
The case dated back to 1992 when, he said, Dr Fenech Adami first applied to convert some rural buildings into a development. In 2006 when ODZ boundaries were re-drawn, his grounds went from ODZ to a development area.
Dr Cardona said interference by (former prime minister) Lawrence Gonzi made Dr Fenech Adami a millionaire.
He said it was too early to say if the case would be referred to the Ombudsman or some other authority.
PN'S BRIEF REACTION
In a one-line reaction, the Nationalist Party said: "It takes a Chris Cardona to defend a Keith Schembri and a Konrad Mizzi. Joseph Muscat has driven his party to a truly desperate situation."
BEPPE FENECH ADAMI DENIES ALLEGATIONS, SUES
This morning, Dr Fenech Adam instituted libel proceedings against the Labour media over the same claims.
He said it was absolutely not true that he has converted two country rooms into what was described as 'a palace'.
He bought the property 22 years ago with his wife, 14 years before he became an MP. The house had already been built and was being lived in.
It was not true that buildings could be constructed on the grounds of the house.
It was also untrue that he was given some sort of preferential treatment. The owners of neighbouring buildings had the same rights as he had.
It was not true that he was given a permit to add three storeys to his house. He was issued a permit to add one floor, a right enjoyed by all those having property in that area.
Dr Fenech Adami said it was a lie that in order to be issued the permits, he was given special treatment by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi or former minister George Pullicino. A letter issued by the Labour media itself showed there were other applicants who were given the same treatment.
He said the stories that were being fabricated were a recycling of lies made 10 years ago, which had also been denied at the time.
Dr Fenech Adami said he would not be intimated by the media of Labour leader Joseph Muscat and Keith Schembri and he would continue to show how minister Konrad mizzi and Mr Schembri had set up secret companies in Panama and how there were allegations of bribery with regard to the prime minister's chief of staff.
ONE NEWS REACTION
In a reaction, Aleander Balzan, head of One News said the libel proceedings were one in a series of measures taken by Dr Fenech Adami and the PN in an attempt to stop stories on the "scandal".
He said he looked forward to presenting details in court to show favouritism for Dr Fenech Adami, adding that the property has a number of 'illegalities'.