Government may consider withdrawal of oil trader George Farrugia's Presidential pardon

The government will decide whether rogue oil trader George Farrugia’s Presidential pardon should be withdrawn following police investigations into allegations made today that a government official had accepted gifts from oil giant Trafigura at his request, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said. Speaking in Zebbug this morning, Dr Muscat referred to the allegations, made in Malta Today, and noted that Mr Farrugia’s pardon had been given on condition that he would divulge all that he knew. The police, he said, should investigate whether Mr Farrugia had told them about these gifts and based on the results of their investigations the government would see whether the pardon was still valid or if it should be withdrawn. Dr Muscat also noted that the government official mentioned was suspended by the government this morning pending investigations. He noted that although former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told the Public Accounts Committee a few days ago that he did not know who Mr Farrugia was, e-mails uncovered today showed otherwise. The Prime Minister said that to ensure transparency, his government had appointed PN executive member Michael Falzon on the oil procurement committee. He...