Cardona admits intervention, says he wanted more transparency

Economy Minister Chris Cardona this morning admitted to have intervened in a call for the provision of legal services stating that he wanted to ensure that there was transparency as the criteria used for the selection by the Privatisation Unit were different from those dictated by the new administration. Replying to a series of questions by The Times of Malta (see video), Dr Cardona said that he didn’t agree with the selection made by the Privatisation Unit headed by former Central Bank governor Emmanuel Ellul as this restricted the number of law firms competing for the bid. A Sunday Times investigation yesterday revealed that Dr Cardona had personally intervened to change the result of a selection process of a legal firm to assist the Privatisation Unit. Its chairman, Emanuel Ellul tendered his resignation soon after the Minister’s intervention although he said that this was on personal health reasons. Dr Cardona said that he is ready to publish the technical report his Ministry had drawn up using the new criteria established following his intervention. Asked whether he had spoken to the Prime Minister following The Sunday Times revelations, Dr Cardona said that he did not feel...