Tony Blair refuses to comment on corruption in Government he endorsed

● No payment sought to endorse Muscat - Blair’s spokesperson

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who last Sunday endorsed Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in a pre-recorded video clip did not reply to questions sent by this newsroom whether he was aware of the corruption revelations and the Magisterial inquiries investigating the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff and Minister Konrad Mizzi on money laundering over the sale of passports and the LNG tanker.

Yet a spokesperson for Mr Blair did reply to one question whether the former UK Prime Minister received payment for his contribution in last Sunday’s PL’s Mass meeting in Floriana.

This newsroom sent a number of questions for Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair through the Institute for Global Change, an organisation in which Sir Blair is the Executive Chairman.

The Malta Independent asked whether Mr Blair was aware of the latest allegations regarding the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Keith Schembri and Minister Konrad Mizzi, and the Prime Minister’s refusal to remove them from their posts. No response was given. Both Mr Schembri and Minister Mizzi were mentioned in the Panama Papers, having been found to have acquired companies in Panama. Following this, a number of FIAU reports have been leaked in relation to these two men. The European Parliament’s PANA committee investigating money laundering asked for the three gentlemen to reply to questions but only Minister Mizzi was forthcoming.

Mr Schembri continues to refuse to appear before the PANA committee while the Prime Minister delayed his participation to after the magisterial inquiry is concluded.

Mr Blair has also been criticised in the British press over trusts he held to manage his accumulated wealth. UK newspapers reported that he was quizzed by the taxman over his trusts in foreign jurisdictions.

Asked whether Mr Blair was paid for his two minutes of fame on the ‘Fosos’, a spokesperson for Mr Blair said, “There was categorically neither any suggestion of a payment nor was one sought.”

In the video clip, the Former UK Prime Minister said: “I’ve known Joseph Muscat for some time, and he is an example of what a progressive politician can do for the people. Over the past years unemployment is done and a lot has been done for LGBT rights and minority rights. I am delighted to see Malta carve out a position for itself not just in Europe, but in the wider world.

“Elections are a moment of great opportunity. I want to wish Joseph all the best and congratulate him on all he has achieved so far.”

This newsroom asked Mr Blair whether he was paid for the video, and if yes by whom and how much.

Mr Blair is known for charging hefty fees when delivering speeches, one example being a £90,000 fee he was paid for making a speech in Azerbaijan, this is what led to the suspicion that Mr Blair was paid for his endorsement. Mr Blair is not alien to controversy, following the war in Iraq.

Mr Blair was also asked about how he got to know the Maltese Prime Minister and when they met, however no response was given.

Mr Blair was not the only former world leader to speak in support of the Maltese Prime Minister during last Sunday’s meeting. Former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi was present at the activity. He endorsed that, “Joseph Muscat was, is and will remain my friend. There is still much to do and we have to do it here in Malta. Europe is the biggest challenge of the last 60 years but it needs humanity. Europe needs the values of Malta and Italy, of the Partit Laburista. It needs all of you,” Renzi said. He of course made no reference to the corruption revelations mounting on the Prime Minister. Mr. Renzi has been the center of corruption allegations back home with a scandal that involved his father.

On Monday evening, the PL media showed a video of the Swedish Prime Minister endorsing Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.