PM askes Auditor General to investigate spending on hospitals deal / Malta News Briefing – Saturday 18 March 2023

Updated 1250

Steward Health says Muscat, Schembri had misled it
Steward Health Care has turned its guns against Joseph Muscat and Keith Schembri of intentionally misleading the company to convince it to take over the contract to run the three state hospitals. In a Court filing, Steward said that Muscat and Schembri emphasised the “urgency” of the deal as a reason to bypass due diligence processes, and promised to renegotiate the deal to make it “bankable” once it took over from Vitals Global Healthcare. The company added that it now believes that the urgency argument was a pretext used by the Muscat government to “cover its tracks and to find a seamless fix to a failed concession”. (Times of Malta)

Convicted Brazilian money-launderer used Malta banks
The UK’s Serious Fraud Office recovered almost $7.7m from convicted money launderer, Mario Ildeu de Miranda, after its investigation revealed he had channelled criminal proceeds through multiple international bank accounts using several different company names. Among these banks, it emerged that Miranda had made used of banks in Malta. This is the largest ever amount seized by the SFO from a single bank account. (Newsbook)

No injuries in Marsa factory fire

No injuries were reported after a fire broke out and enveloped a factory in Marsa last night at around 10pm. The factory is located in Triq il-Prinċep Andrew. The national broadcaster reported that there were around 30 firemen involved in controlling the flames. It was a delicate operation because there is fuel stored in this area. (TVM)

Morning Briefing

PM askes Auditor General to investigate spending on hospitals deal

Prime Minister Robert Abela has asked the Auditor General to investigate government spending on the hospitals deal and compare it to the provision of services by Vitals Global Healthcare and Steward Healthcare during their time as concession holders. The PM made this move after promising to do so during a rowdy parliamentary debate, which saw the Opposition walking out of the house during discussions on a motion that they themselves had proposed. In his letter to auditor Charles Deguara, Abela cited being given a mandate by parliament to “take all the necessary action to recover payments for which no related value in medical services or related investment were given in return”. (Times of Malta)

Thousands flock to St Julian’s to celebrate St Patrick’s day

A huge crowd descended on St Julian’s to celebrate the St Patrick’s festivity, which has become a staple among Maltese youths and expats in Malta. Thousands gathered in different areas of the seaside locality and Paceville. This is the first time festivities will be held without any restrictions following the COVID-19 pandemic. Celebrations were held with limited restrictions last year.
(Maltatoday)

Delay expected in drive to airport

Malta International Airport said that major works that will upgrade sections of the airport ring road in two phases will commence next Tuesday. These works, MIA said, will not impact the main airport entryway and exits, however, some congestion can be expected at these two points. For this reason, persons who will be travelling from 21 March onwards are advised to allow extra time for their journey, whether they are being dropped off, or driving to the airport and using one of the campus car parks. (Independent)