Sliema restaurateur at heart of Dalli allegations

A Sliema restaurateur and circus promoter, Silvio Zammit, is at the heart of the allegations investigated by the EU's anti-fraud office which led to John Dalli's resignation from the European Commission today. The European Commission said that a tobacco company, Swedish Match, had alleged that a Maltese entrepreneur had used his contacts with Mr Dalli to try to gain financial advantages from the company in return for seeking to influence a possible future legislative proposal on tobacco products, in particular on the EU export ban on snus. Mr Dalli is denying the claims (see separate story). Mr Zammit when contacted by The Times did not wish to comment on the case. He said however that he was resigning his post as Deputy Mayor of Sliema and leaving the council 'for personal reasons'. The PN also announced his resignation from the council.