Cardona says Daphne Project journalists ‘misled on unverified information’

Minister Chris Cardona said yesterday afternoon it is clear that international journalists forming part of the Daphne Project have been misled into believing unverified information and reported baseless conjectures and fabrications.

He was referring to a story in The Malta Independent on Sunday which reported that he had not received a phone call from Pierre Darmanin as reported by La Repubblica. The alleged telephone call between ship owner Pierre Darmanin and Economy Minister Chris Cardona shortly after the former spoke with Daphne Caruana Galizia did not take place, according to local and foreign sources close to the investigation, The Malta Independent reported.

On the other hand, Darmanin really did call brothers Alfred and George Degiorgio, two of the three men accused of killing the journalist, shortly after the phone call with the journalist.

“Contrary to what was published by La Repubblica on Monday, 8 October, today’s edition of The Malta Independent on Sunday reports investigation sources saying that there were no phone calls made to myself in succession to other phone conversations with Daphne Caruana Galizia and the accused of her murder,” Cardona said in statement.

The Malta Independent on Sunday article states that:

“…there is nothing to suggest that Darmanin called the minister shortly after the conversation with Caruana Galizia, as claimed by La Repubblica.”

“I cannot be in possession of the raised information, having no access to the underway inquiry.

“What is made plain is that international journalists, forming part of The Daphne Project, have been misled on unverified information to believe and report baseless conjecture and outright fabrications. Unfortunately, these join the many intentional and relentless attempts to undermine my reputation and character, so to link me in some way to such a heinous act. Once again these allegations are proving to be false.

“I reiterate my call for both local and international media to be sensible and scrupulous in their reporting and be sceptical of the narrative being concocted for political gains. These recent efforts are shameful and border into malice and deception, so to seemingly breed resentment and distrust of what is one of the largest and most sensitive investigations in Maltese judicial history.

“The inquiry should be left to take its course,” he said.