Gaffarena expropriation case: PM denies responsibility and explains why he took court action

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this morning testified in court over the Gaffarena property expropriation case but denied being responsible for what had taken place, despite the Lands Department having been within his ministerial responsibilities.  Dr Muscat said he had learned from the media about the allegations made following the part-expropriation of the property in Old Mint Street.  The case was then investigated by the National Audit Office which had shed light upon certain facts. These included differential treatment, the manner in which payments were effected by the Lands Department as well as the issue whether the remaining undivided share of the property was to be purchased. The NAO had declared that payments should have been given to all the co-owners of the Valletta property. READ: How the Michael Falzon/Gaffarena scandal developed These considerations prompted him to institute the case in January 2016 against Marco and Josielle Gaffarena, asking the court to revoke the expropriation. Asked whether he was responsible for the entities falling under his ministry, the Prime Minister declared that he delegated authority to his parliamentary secretaries, who were responsible...