Austin Gatt is facing tax probe on Swiss account

Former transport minister Austin Gatt is being investigated by the Tax Compliance Unit over the Swiss account he failed to include in his ministerial declaration of assets, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt. The investigation was prompted by newspaper reports about the account which became public knowledge during the election campaign when Labour Party reporters asked Dr Gatt whether he held a Swiss account. Although the Inland Revenue Department refused to confirm an investigation was under way, sources confirmed it. The issue was first raised at a press conference in which the former Nationalist minister strongly denied any connection with the Enemalta oil scandal that became one of the major issues of the campaign. Dr Gatt had admitted to inheriting the account after his parents passed away but said there had been no transactions for over 40 years. He also provided all the details necessary for the police to investigate and verify his claims. However, Times of Malta last week reported that the police failed to conduct this investigation because “the requisite elements that are essential for such an investigation to take place are missing”. The newspaper also reported that...