Former Minister Clayton Bartolo has been rebuked by the Standards Commissioner for not being forthcoming in his answers during an investigation on a gift cruise given to ITS CEO.
The commissioner was ruling on a complaint filed by independent candidate Arnold Cassola.
While finding Bartolo not involved in giving a permit for the CEO, Pierre Fenech, to accept a cruise as a gift although this may have been a conflict of interest, Standards Commissioner Joseph Azzopardi remarked that this investigation could have been avoided if Bartlo had provided more comprehensive answers.
Bartolo should have himself asked for emails which were later provided by his permanent secretary, and he (Bartolo) should have immediately said that he knew what was taking place and had decided not to intervene. If this had happened, Azzopardi said he would have likely said there was no need for an investigation.
Instead, Bartolo chose not to be forthcoming in his answers, and based one of them on the wrong premise that the civil service was not answerable to him. If this was true, the commissioner noted, the ministers would be doing nothing and the country is being led by permanent secretaries. In the light of the minister’s answers, the commissioner had no other option but to start an investigation.
The commissioner also noted that more importance should be given to ethical aspects when accepting travels and gifts paid for by third parties. When such travels and gifts are accepted, there should be a detailed explanation of the reasons which led to such an acceptance.
This would lead to more transparency that increases confidence in the public service, Azzopardi noted.
