UPDATED WITH LABOUR PARTY RESPONSE
Bernard Grech, the Opposition leader, has urged the Attorney General to provide him with a copy of the hospitals inquiry report, persisting in his call for its public release.
Grech expressed his dissatisfaction with the limited access to the findings, which he claimed only Prime Minister Robert Abela and a select few possess. Speaking at a press conference held at the party headquarters, Grech emphasized that he formally requested the report from the AG in his capacity as Opposition leader and urged for its publication.
Accusing Prime Minister Abela of dishonesty, Grech asserted that voters should not be asked to pass judgment on the inquiry without full disclosure of its contents. He criticized Abela for allegedly manipulating information to instill fear regarding a purported “mafia clique” at Castille.
Grech emphasized the Nationalist Party’s commitment to transparency and informed decision-making for voters.
The hospitals inquiry, concluded two weeks prior, remains at the discretion of the AG for publication. Grech implied that Abela had access to the report, though the Prime Minister has not refuted this claim.
Grech warned of legal action should the inquiry not be made public, accusing Abela of attempting to suppress the truth. He dismissed allegations of leaks from the inquiry, suggesting that such claims only corroborated Abela’s access to the findings.
Labour Party Responds:
Following the statement by Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech, the Labour Party issued a response, stating: ‘It was Prime Minister Robert Abela who first stated that the inquiry into the concession of hospitals to Vitals must be published in its entirety. Particularly in light of the fact that this inquiry, which had been ongoing for four and a half years, was “completed” at the moment the nominations for the June 8 elections were announced.’
‘On the other hand, the Leader of the Opposition was the first to assert that the Attorney General and the Commissioner should act independently, and now he is saying that he wants a copy of the inquiry. The Leader of the Opposition also declared that he will continue to apply pressure and confirmed that he will proceed according to the directions and priorities that he and his party have. He announced that he will continue with the politics of intimidation.’
‘At the same time, members of the Nationalist Party and their deputies are leaving with one lie after another, including on social media. This action by the establishment is dangerous.’
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