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Maltese PM vows to dismiss energy minister if he lied

Xinhua, March 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on Wednesday clarified his stance that he would immediately dismiss the archipelago's Minister for Energy and Health Konrad Mizzi if Mizzi was found lied on "Panamagate," a corruption scandal in which Mizzi was allegedly involved.

Speaking on Maltese national television's program "Dissett," Muscat said two ongoing audits by the Commissioner for Inland Revenue would find whether Mizzi lied about his holdings in New Zealand trust and his company in Panama or not.

The prime minister also said should Mizzi be cleared, the Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil would have to shoulder responsibility for the unfounded claims he has thrown around.

It was reported last month that Konrad Mizzi and the chief of staff at the Office of the Prime Minister, Keith Schembri, were found to own trusts in New Zealand and set up secret companies in Panama.

The Opposition has been calling for their resignation after the scandal emerged.

Muscat said that Schembri's case is different from that of Mizzi, as he was not an elected official and had declared his business interests.

A protest, organized by Malta's Nationalist Party and participated by thousands, was held Sunday to demand the dismissal of the two officials. Endit