Opposition leader Adrian Delia on Thursday evening demanded action by the prime minister following the latest revelations about his chief of staff Keith Schembri and minister Konrad Mizzi.

Speaking on Net Television, he said that it was unfortunate that while Malta was doing well economically, its international reputation was being tarnished, to the extent that it could even lose its voice and risk the risk of application of Article seven in the EU (suspension of voting rights).

“We appear to be dealing with concrete facts now. What the people used to be told in the past about 17 Black has been confirmed as one of two companies which Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi were to have as clients.“

While Dr Mizzi had said that his Panama company was for family financial planning, Mr Schembri had now said this was part of a business plan.

“So even this, without discussing money, shows that one of the government’s officials is lying. Was it family financial planning or business? Or maybe both of them were lying."

One of the government’s officials is lying. Was it family financial planning or business?

It was now known, Dr Delia observed, that funds were deposited into this company (17 Black) with over a million dollars deposited via a Latvian Bank from a company in Azerbaijan.

“This company also received funds which, wonder of wonders, had to do with the LNG power station, and a further 200,000 were deposited.

“I do not think there are more people who are blind and stupid to all this. The people have a right to know what is happening. The government must stop deceiving the people any further," Dr Delia said.

Would the Police Commissioner continue to abdicate his responsibilities by not investigating? Would the FIAU investigate?

The least that could be done was for people to start shouldering responsibility.

Malta’s reputation was being harmed and unless action was taken, it would undermine Malta’s voice, with the risk of application of Article Seven (suspension of voting rights in the EU).

“Why is the prime minister continuing to delay action, Why is it that what is obvious to everyone is not obvious to Joseph Muscat?”

The prime minister needed to act. An election was still far off, so this was not about scoring political points but about doing what needed to be done in the interests of the country.

“The government should cleanse itself of those who are harming Malta. Responsibility should be shouldered.

Why is the prime minister continuing to delay action, Why is it that what is obvious to everyone is not obvious to Joseph Muscat?

"Why does the prime minister, who enjoys such a strong mandate, not act against those who are embarrassing him and harming Malta?

Referring to the allegations that minister Chris Cardona had met one of the Caruana Galizia murder suspects in a bar, Dr Delia said that there was nothing wrong about going to a bar and having a drink, but it was wrong to meet criminals.

Dr Cardona had been inconsistent in his replies so far and this too was something which had to be investigated. Did the prime minister know about this, and when? Had the police commissioner done anything about it?

PL REACTION

In a reaction, the Labour Party said replies had been given to all the allegations which Dr Delia had mentioned, and investigations were being held.

The only person about which no investigations had been held was Dr Delia. What did he have to hide?

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