Health Minister Konrad Mizzi yesterday accused the leader of the Opposition of trying to undermine the ongoing inquiry into the quality of concrete used at Mater Dei Hospital.

He also accused him of trying to undermine the democratic institution of the Whistleblower Act by taking court action against Gozitan whistleblower Joe Cauchi in the ‘works for votes’ scandal, which is now before the Gozo court.

Earlier, Health Parliamentary Secretary Chris Fearne said that former FMS employee Alex Sciberras, the son of retired judge Philip Sciberras, who was conducting the inquiry, had no part in the investigation.

This was confirmed by Dr Mizzi, who said that Dr Sciberras was not the FMS company secretary as reported in sections of the media.

Dr Mizzi asked whether the Opposition, when in government, had any indication of substandard concrete being used, saying Nationalist MP Tonio Fenech did not seem surprised by the fact that the concrete at the Emergency Department could not hold additional storeys.

Dr Mizzi said the Opposition was intent on discrediting the inquiry to cover up the fact that the material used was faulty.