Former Nationalist Minister Ninu Zammit confirmed this afternoon that he had an account at HSBC Geneva and said his tax affairs were regularised after he applied for an amnesty offered by the present government.

In a media statement issued shortly after the PN said he had been suspended from the party, Mr Zammit said he started depositing money abroad in the late 1970s. The money came from his profession and property business. He opted to deposit some funds abroad in order to diversify, for financial security, and because of attractive interest rates.

The funds were eventually transferred to HSBC Geneve. No more deposits were made since that time.  

Mr Zammit said his tax position was in order since he had made use of the amnesty offered by the present government and been issued a compliance certificate after rigorous scrutiny. He paid all due tax and penalties and now had no foreign bank account.  

Mr Zammit noted that a section of the media had tried to associate him with the oil procurement scandal.

He said that although he was responsible for the building of the MOBC installation, he was categorically denying ever having ever been involved in oil procurement, whether it was through Enemalta or MOBC.

Earlier, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said that Ninu Zammit had been suspended in connection with the Swissleaks affair. 

In a statement, Dr Busuttil said his position was clear. People in public office or in political positions - whoever they may be - must come clean on Swissleaks and carry their responsibility at law.

"Any person on these lists who has or had any official connection with the Nationalist Party should consider himself suspended immediately from the Party.”

He said Mr Zammit should consider himself as having been suspended with immediate effect from the Nationalist Party. 

Mr Zammit retired from active politics in 2013. He was appointed parliamentary secretary for water and energy in 1987. He later served as minister for the infrastructure and minister for agriculture.

Former minister Michael Falzon yesterday admitted having had an account at HSBC Geneva and suspended himself from political activity. He also said he had regularised his financial position.