The Prime Minister’s effort to cover for Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi and Chief of Staff Keith Schembri “makes him look like an accomplice” in the 17 Black story, Nationalist MEP David Casa said on Monday.

He was speaking alongside former Opposition leader Simon Busuttil and Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi after testifying before a magistrate in an inquiry in the wake of revelations regarding 17 Black - a Dubai-registered company.

Times of Malta, as part of the Daphne Project, had revealed how 17 Black received two separate payments totalling $1.6 million between July and November 2015. Ann email sent from Nexia BT's Karl Cini to Mossack Fonseca just one month later, in December, listed 17 Black as a "target client" of Mr Schembri and Dr Mizzi's secret Panama companies.

The report led Dr Busuttil and Mr Casa to call for a magisterial inquiry.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale has to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to launch a criminal investigation into the matter.

Dr Busuttil said he had presented documents, including those revealed by the Times of Malta to the magistrate, but said he could not delve into what was specifically presented.

Mr Casa said evidence linking Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri to criminal activity was now overwhelming.

Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri had now been caught red-handed planning how to net $150,000 a month and the evidence was there for all to see, he said.  

He praised the Daphne Project for continuing to shed light on the allegations and called on the Prime Minister to remove Dr Mizzi and Mr Schembri.

“The Prime Minister is not in an easy position,” Mr Casa said, adding that his position was no longer tenable due to his lack of action in the confront of Dr Mizzi and Mr Schembri.

“We are at a point where everyone is saying enough is enough,” he said.

Dr Busuttil also lambasted Dr Mizzi for saying he did not know who owned 17 Black.

Dr Mizzi’s comment was “a clear lie,” Dr Busuttil said. “How can you believe someone who says that they do not know who owns a company that would be giving payments of $150,000 a month? You need to be cut off from reality not to know who would be sending you that money,” he added.

LABOUR REACTION

In a reaction, the Labour Party described the allegations against the prime minister as lies.

No one believed these three people a year ago and no one will believe them now, the party said.  Truth would prevail and Dr Busuttil and his colleagues would have to face their political responsibilities. 

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