CSN expects PM to order Keith Schembri to collaborate with EP delegation

The Civil Society Network said that it expected the Prime Minister to order his chief of staff, Keith Schembri, to collaborate with the European Parliament representatives who will be in Malta on Thursday on a fact-finding mission in connection with the state of the rule of law in our country.

It has been reported by the media that this group of EuroParliamentarians is expected to request meetings with various individuals and entities, including Prime Minister Muscat, Keith Schembri, Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar and Attorney General Peter Grech.

In view of the fact that last February Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Minister Keith Schembri refused to meet the PANA Committee during its visit to Malta in connection with his alleged involvement in companies registered in the Republic of Panama, the Civil Society Network said it expected the Prime Minister to order Mr Schembri to accept any invitation that he may receive from the group of Euro Parliamentarians that will be present in Malta this week and give exhaustive replies to their demands for information.

Whereas one understands that the Prime Minister and his chief of staff are friends and that this is not something wrong in itself, the Civil Society Network wishes to remind the Maltese public and in particular Prime Minister Muscat himself that in the oath which the latter took before assuming office, he solemnly swore and undertook to perform his duties as Prime Minister without fear or favour.

Moreover, the Civil Society Network said it also expected the Prime Minister to do anything in his power to persuade Brian Tonna and Karl Cini of Nexia BT to collaborate with the said European Parliament representatives. Whereas one appreciates the fact that these individuals are bound by the duty of confidentiality in respect of certain matters, at the same time the Civil Society Network feels that since earlier this year Mr Tonna was reported to have declared that he was the owner of Egrant Inc, and since one cannot be bound by the duty of confidentiality in his own respect, hence there is no legal impediment for Mr Tonna to pass on all the information in his possession in respect of Egrant Inc to the representatives of the European Parliament.

The Civil Society Network will be holding a demonstration for justice on Sunday, 3 December, at 4pm in Valletta. The main speaker will be the Italian former anti-corruption magistrate Antonio Di Pietro.