Former Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon insisted this evening that he never intervened in the Gaffarena property expropriation process and was not involved in the negotiations or the valuations of the lands given to Mr Gaffarena in return for the property he part-owned in Old Mint street, Valletta.

Speaking at a press conference, he said the report by the Auditor General issued this evening sounded in parts like a speech written by the Leader of the Opposition.

He said he was assuming political responsibility and did not fear resigning.

Some people were pleased with their pound of flesh, and he hoped they were enjoying the taste of blood, he said.

In his resignation letter (see pdf below) Dr Falzon said the audit report was full of inconsistencies and contradictions. In parts it said that he facilitated the expropriation and in parts it said he was not involved enough.

In parts, the audit office struggled to justify the contradictory conclusions it had reached.

He also complained that the report was leaked and called for an investigation.