‘I have never received donations from the Chetcuti family’- Konrad Mizzi
Minister for Tourism Konrad Mizzi insisted yesterday that he has never received any personal support from the Chetcuti family.
In a documentary on French television last Sunday, businessman Luke Chetcuti was heard saying: “Last week I was having dinner with Chris (Cardona), the Minister for the Economy, and he texted the tourism minister (Konrad Mizzi), saying, ‘We must help the Chetcuti family. They have always helped us.’ The other minister replied that the beach was quite small but he would see what he could do; if it could be enlarged.”
The beach referred to is St George’s Bay, in St Julian’s, which is already partly occupied by another hotelier.
During the investigative programme, it was alleged that the Labour Party had received help from the Chetcuti family. After inquiring about this claim, The Malta Independent also asked Tourism Minister Mizzi what help, if any, he had received on a personal level.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the economy ministry said: “As stated in the press release, the ministry has always been adamant about its legislative, administrative and coordinating role to further and uphold a forward-looking Maltese economy that ensures stability and growth.”
“In his role as Minister for the Economy, Minister Cardona has countless meetings with potential investors, established enterprises, and all relevant stakeholders. Due process is always followed in all cases.”
“Investigations by Commissioner for Standards in Public Life Dr George Hyzler on any of these claims, is welcomed.”
The Grand Duke of Corsica
A British comedy-drama production titled ‘The Obscure Life of the Grand Duke of Corsica’, which is currently using the Maltese Islands for filming purposes, has benefitted from the Malta Film Fund.
According to the Malta Film Commission website, the objective of the Malta Film Fund is to “nurture and back the development, production and distribution of Maltese qualifying productions in all genres from new and established filmmakers for local and international distribution.”
The IMDB page of the film describes a story revolving around a cantankerous and brilliant architect, Alfred, who embarks on a highly unusual commission in Malta for a man who calls himself ‘The Grand Duke of Corsica’. An epidemic then hits the island and all must flee, but Alfred remains to finish the job.
The movie features individuals such as Timothy Spall as Alfred Rott, who has had parts in movies such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow as Wormtail, and The King’s Speech as Winston Churchill, and Peter Stormare.
Minister Mizzi paid a visit to the current film set at Palazzo Villa Rosa, telling journalists in attendance that other locations being used include Selmun and the various older cities on the island.
Mizzi added that 20 productions were filmed in Malta, and that the country is booked until the end of the year, with the year 2020 looking hopeful.