Government says it had no plans to buy Palazzo Verdelin as Opposition calls on Prime Minister to come clean

The government said today it never had plans to acquire or expropriate Palazzo Verdelin. Its statement followed a news conference earlier today in which Shadow Minister Jason Azzopardi said the Opposition expected clear action by the Prime Minister over a story in The Sunday Times of Malta showing that Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela did not tell the truth about the government's intentions regarding the palazzo. Dr Azzopardi said that if the Prime Minister wanted to show that he still held some control over his ministers, he should immediately take action regarding Mr Abela. "It is not acceptable that a minister is caught lying and the Prime Minister remains silent. "This government is hitting rock bottom after just two years and is becoming the most corrupt government since the days of Lorry Sant," Dr Azzopardi said. The Sunday Times of Malta revealed correspondence from the permanent secretary in the Home Affairs Ministry, Kevin Mahoney, advising Mr Abela to either buy or expropriate Palazzo Verdelin, which hosts the Valletta police station. Mr Abela had categorically denied in Parliament any government interest in acquiring the palazzo. Quizzed later by Times of Malta, he...