Finance Minister Edward Scicluna denied saying that the publication of a €88 State guarantee to Electrogas to build a new power station would lead to “economic turmoil”.

He was reacting to comments made by Opposition economy spokesman Claudio Grech during a press conference on Wednesday.

Mr Grech was quoting a report in The Malta Independent, which had filed a freedom of information request asking the Finance Ministry to publish details of the guarantee.

The Finance Ministry said yesterday Mr Grech’s declaration was “completely untrue”. A spokesman said that, after seeking the Attorney General’s advice, the ministry was unable to meet the newspaper’s request.

He said the Freedom of Information Act spoke of public interest but never referred to “economic turmoil”.

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