Mizzi fails to invite independent media to press conference yet again
Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi has once again failed to invite the independent media to one of his press events, seemingly preferring to give his unchallenged opinions through the comfort of social media, a platform which is inundated with adverts from the minister.
Only One News, Orizzont and TVM, who recently failed to report on the damning European Banking Authority’s conclusions in its investigation of the FIAU, were invited to the inauguration of a car park in Marsaxlokk, which is part of wider investment in the area, with the GWU media arm carrying the article as a front page story yesterday.
Mizzi has also been noticeably absent from any press conferences which deal with his ministry.
Recently, he did not attend a press conference concerning the change in menu on Air Malta flights, despite a press release issued later that day giving the impression that he had. The same thing happened yesterday when the minister did not attend an MIA press conference but his comments were included in a press release sent later in the day.
This has been a growing pattern over the last month, with The Malta Independent penning an editorial highlighting Mizzi’s unwillingness to face questions concerning the number allegations completely separate from the Egrant inquiry.
Last Sunday, following the publication of the conclusions of the inquiry, Mizzi said on social media that the “truth has emerged… (that he) never did anything wrong,” while also calling for people to shoulder political responsibility, an ironic spin given his lack of willingness to shoulder any himself.
While the Egrant inquiry did find that Mizzi was not involved in corrupt practices or money laundering or suspect financial transactions deriving from the accounts of politically exposed persons (PEP) in Azerbaijan through Pilatus Bank, two magisterial inquiries dealing expressly with Mizzi are still underway and do not involve the infamous bank.
The inquiries were launched after claims of kickbacks and leaked FIAU reports that point towards money laundering.
A leaked FIAU report indicated that there were two attempts at transferring money totalling €1.1 million to 17 Black from Orion Engineering group (a company registered at the same address and having the same involved parties as Armada Floating Gas Services Malta Ltd).
The same report also shows that Mizzi, along with the prime minister’s chief of staff Keith Schembri had listed 17 Black as one of two so-called “target clients” of their offshore Panamanian account.