In spite of the Speaker’s denial that the probe into allegations of misuse in the fuel allocation to the Opposition leader was politically motivated, the Nationalist Party continues to think otherwise.
“It seems the Speaker opted to stir a sensation, coincidentally after the Opposition contested his ruling and the day after the Opposition leader unveiled the most ambitious document on good governance ever presented,” the party said in a statement yesterday.
The PN also asked why the Spea-ker’s office had waited two and a half years to take action if it already had the information at its disposal.
The party also complained that its leader had not been notified either about the decision to refer the case to the police or the magisterial inquiry. This behaviour meant the Speaker’s office had forged ahead with the probe behind the Opposition’s back, it said.
This harshly worded statement was issued in reply to comments made by Speaker Anġlu Farrugia who, in turn, was reacting to remarks made by Simon Busuttil on Monday evening.
Although, Dr Busuttil’s driver, Anthony Tabone, denied any wrongdoing, he was immediately suspended by the Opposition leader pending the outcome of the magisterial inquiry.
Instructions to start an investigation were given before the PN’s good governance report
Sources said Mr Tabone was seen leaving the PN headquarters in Pietà in the early afternoon after being summoned to Dr Busuttil’s office. The driver headed home by bus, the sources said.
The Speaker yesterday rejected claims he was out to pay back the Opposition for tabling a motion contesting his ruling in the incident involving MPs Joe Debono Grech and Marlene Farrugia.
“Instructions to start an investigation were given much before the motion was filed by the Opposition and, hence, before the PN’s good governance report,” Dr Farrugia said.
He said Dr Busuttil had been informed of the investigation, pointing out that the decision to involve a magistrate had been taken by the police and not himself.
When contacted by the Timesof Malta, Dr Farrugia said the probe was not triggered by a report filed by third parties but the alleged wrongdoing had been flagged by Parliament’s accounts department.
Asked whether there had been a sudden spike in fuel consumption when compared to the mileage, Dr Farrugia declined to comment saying that would be determined by the inquiry.