Updated - Galdes invites Mepa to publish permit documentation

Updated 3.10 p.m. - Labour MP Roderick Galdes has invited the Mepa chairman and the minister responsible for Mepa to publish documentation related to the granting of a permit for his political office in Qormi. In a statement, Mr Galdes said that the Mepa audit officer quoted a policy on commercial offices when he criticised a Mepa decision to grant him a permit to open a political office in Qormi. Earlier today the PN demanded action from Joseph Muscat after The Sunday Times revealed that the Mepa audit officer said that the permit went against Mepa policies and should never have been issued (see http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120909/local/Labour-MP-s-permit-should-not-have-been-granted-auditor.436088 ) Mr Galdes said that as a politician and a public officer he had no objection to scrutiny.  He said the permit application was approved in a normal manner like every other application.  During the process, the case officer raised one reason for refusal. That was contested by the architect who presented the application, and the DCC board upheld the application unanimously.  After the permit was granted, a neighbour protested to the audit officer. The audit officer in...