Updated with Civil Society Network statement
Members of the European Parliament in Malta to probe the situation with regard to the rule of law were until Thursday still in the dark as to whether the Prime Minister’s closest aide, Keith Schembri, would meet them.
An invitation for a meeting this morning was sent to Mr Schembri days ago, sources close to the European Parliament said yesterday.
The delegation wants to quiz the Prime Minister’s right-hand man about his alleged involvement in cases highlighted by the Panama Papers and reports by the government’s anti-money laundering agency.
MEPs, led by Socialist Ana Gomes, on Thursday had back-to-back meetings including with Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar, Attorney General Peter Grech, Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit representatives, journalists and members of civil society.
Dr Grech said after the meeting he was very comfortable replying to questions, insisting he “always did his duties according to the Constitution”.
Pressed by journalists to state why he did not follow up on FIAU reports flagging possible crimes of money laundering allegedly involving top government officials, including Mr Schembri, Dr Grech did not reply.
Dr Grech chairs the FIAU.
It was a good meeting in which the MEPs were given all the necessary information
Former police inspector and ex-FIAU official Jonathan Ferris also met the MEPs but refrained from commenting on what was said.
“It was a good meeting in which the MEPs were given all the necessary information,” he said.
Audit firm Nexia BT declined to attend the meeting, advising the delegation it was only willing to reply to questions in writing.
The two-day fact-mission ends on Friday with a press conference after more meetings are held, among them with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and the Malta Financial Services Authority’s director general, Marianne Scicluna.
The delegation, which includes David Casa, Maria Grapani, Monica Macovei, Takis Hadjigeorgiou and Sven Giegold, is expected to present its conclusions to the European Parliament in Brussels next week.
Civil Society Network insists that Schembri should be told to meet MEPs
The Civil Society Network said in a statement that it expects Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to give "a precise and unequivocal order" to his Chief of Staff to meet the European Parliament Delegation.
"CSN reminds the Prime Minister that he is legally and morally bound to promote the common good of our nation and therefore encourages him to put the interest of us all and of this country’s future generations before the hidden interests of the few in this critical moment of our nation’s life," it said.
This Sunday the Civil Society Network is holding a demonstration in favour of justice in front of the Law Courts in Valletta at 4pm, walking towards Parliament. The main speaker of the event shall be former Magistrate against corruption Antonio Di Pietro.