The evidence given in court by Gozitan contractor-turned-whistleblower Joseph Cauchi over the ‘works for votes’ scandal yesterday sparked off a war of words between the major political parties.

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil insisted no mention of ‘works for votes’ allegations was made when Mr Cauchi met him in June last year to complain about unpaid bills for works carried out for the Gozo Ministry up to March 2013.

“Had this been the case, I would have obviously replied that, if this was so, then no public money could be due for works done on private property because this would amount to misuse of public funds,” Dr Busuttil said.

He shifted the blame to the government, saying the ones who had kept the allegations hidden until the local council election campaign were the Prime Minister and Gozo Minister Anton Refalo. The Labour Party referred to the 70 “fake” invoices exhibited in court by the whistleblower, saying these constituted 70 lies by Dr Busuttil.

In a news conference, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici insisted the evidence proved that the allegations were not merely a mudslinging campaign, as the PN had claimed. “This sheds light on Dr Busuttil’s sense of judgment, honesty and credibility,” he said.

Labour MP Deborah Schembri said the PN leader was providing the public piecemeal information at every new twist or turn.

Dr Busuttil, she continued, had said he had learnt of the works for votes from the media. Outgoing PN general secretary Chris Said also said he had no inkling of what was alleged, she added. Now it emerged in court that what they had said was untrue, since the whistleblower testified that he had requested a meeting with both of them, Dr Schembri noted.