The Ethics Committee commissioned by the Administrative Council of the Nationalist Party has clearly stated that the ideal candidate for PN leader cannot be surrounded by serious doubts or suspicions on his personal integrity and honesty.
The committee published the report on the PN leadership candidates on Wednesday evening, ahead of yet another lengthy Administrative Council meeting which ruled that controversial candidate Adrian Delia should reconsider his candidacy following the serious allegations surrounding him.
Delia, in turn, said that the Ethics Committee report does not reprimand him or sanction him, and never once said that he should reconsider his decision as suggested by the PN administrative committee, which he described as the "establishment" which wants to retain its grip on the party in spite of four successive electoral defeats.
The eight-page report drawn up by the Ethics Committee tried to identify what makes an 'ideal candidate' for a PN leader. It said that the candidate might have various leadership skills, but they would be useless if the person in question is not honest. "Everything would be built on sand if the candidate is not worthy of such role."
"Besides possessing the skills, intelligence, attitude and character to be an effective leader, the candidate should be over and above any suspicions or doubt on his integrity and personal honesty," the report said.
The committee met with the four candidates together with the outgoing General Secretary of the party Rosette Thake and the President of the Electoral Commission Joe Borg. The report, signed by Louis Galea, Karol Aquilina, Joseph Cassar, Maryanne Lauri and Franz Wirth, was satisfied by the explanations given by candidates Chris Said, Alex Perici Calascione and Frank Portelli, but on Adrian Delia, the committee ruled that there are serious doubts which need to be addressed.
What did the report say about Portelli, Perici Calascione and Said?
On Chris Said, the report had little to observe. It mentioned the instance when Said had voluntarily stepped down from Parliamentary Secretary when allegations in court were levelled against him. Once cleared, Said returned to his post. The committee said it was satisfied with the explanations given.
Frank Portelli was questioned on his commercial activities with special reference to the St Philips Hospital. Portelli provided the necessary documentation which proved that the debt faced by the hospital is able to be covered by the assets. It also found that according to recent estimates, the value of the land exceeds the debt in question. The committee was satisfied by the explanations provided.
Alex Perici Calascione, who immediately went to the committee to explain the allegations made in an anonymous email sent to the committee about his connections with Corinthia Group, also proved to provide satisfactory explanations. The committee stated that is actually met with Perici Calascione twice and he was questioned about his commercial interests. The letter in question was also sent to the media, and lists Perici Calascione's connection through marriage with the Pisani family, shareholders of the Corinthia Group when other shareholders, according to the letter, are members of the Gaddafi family. The candidate denied the allegations against him and the committee noted that the declaration of assets was satisfactory.
When asked about his possible conflict of interest when it comes to debate issues related with Corinthia because of his wife's involvement in the company, Perici Calascione said that in the past, when the party had to discuss such matters, he abstained from participating in the debate or decision making process. Once again, the committee was "satisfied with the explanations given".
With Adrian Delia, who is battling very serious allegations made by blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, the committee did not give double thumbs up like it did with the other candidates. While Delia came forward with the documentation from clients to explain the allegations, he did fail to explain the "scope and use" of the Barclays bank account in Jersey.
"While the committee understands the legal limitations of Delia as a lawyer and the confidentiality with his clients that need to be observed, there are other aspects which need to be verified. Delia still has not provided an explanation about the alleged bank account in Jersey, the scope and use of this account and the legality of the funds put into it." When challenged about this, Delia questioned whether this said account even existed.
The committee also made reference to a report which revealed how back in July 2003, the British police raided a property which belonged to Healey Properties, a company of which Delia was Director together with Chris Cardona, who is now Minister for the Economy. It later emerged that the property was being used for prostitution. Delia and Cardona resigned from their directorships later that same year.
"With regards to this last case, the committee feels that Delia should have informed the party beforehand, when he announced his candidacy on 17 July." However, the committee also noted that when informed of this case, Delia went to give an explanation and committed himself to relinquish himself from every shareholding and company ownership.
"The limited time allocated for this committee does not allow for a serene reflection and time for verification of the aspects in question that is needed for such an important role. Because of this, there are doubts which need to be resolved."
The committee also commented on the nature of the allegations which are related to money laundering, prostitution and debt which could result in conflict of interest if the candidate is elected Leader of the Opposition. "The nature of such allegations is very serious".
However, the committee said it acknowledges its limitations.
"It is not the committee's scope to serve as an investigative body or to pass judgement based on collected evidence and facts." It said it is not its duty to say if the law was broken or not. "Even if it wanted to do an investigation, the committee does not possess the tools to do so."
The report also criticizes the party for not making criteria for leadership clear. The committee said that for future elections, the party should establish clear criteria, to be precise on the quality and qualifications of candidates and to ensure that the necessary time is given for the due diligence to be carried out properly.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2gtBM35
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