Malta’ deputy prime minister resigns amid corruption allegations

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) - Malta's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Chris Fearne resigned Saturday following allegations in a corruption investigation related to the controversial privatization process of certain state hospitals.

Fearne, who also served as current European funds, equality, reforms, and social dialogue minister, resigned after the allegations surfaced.

Fearne, in a letter on social media, asserted his innocence and said he resigned in the national interest but was feeling unjustly accused.

The Labour Party Cabinet led by Prime Minister Robert Abela suffered its first casualty due to the corruption scandal at three hospitals which has been a topic of public debate in Malta for some time.

Fearne urged Abela to withdraw his nomination as the next member of the European Commission.

He added that he was unaware of the basis of the allegations against him.

In response to the resignation letter, Abela, requested Fearne reconsider his decision.

Fearne thanked Abela for his support and affirmed his commitment to his decision. He also served as deputy health minister under the Labour Party government in 2015.

Maltese media reported that Fearne, along with other high-ranking government officials, was accused by the prosecution earlier this week of misusing funds and defrauding the government during the controversial privatization process for the hospitals.

In the same probe, former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, his chief of staff Keith Schembri and former Health Minister Konrad Mizzi are also facing serious allegations, including money laundering, bribery and forming a criminal organization.

Opposition Nationalist Party (PN) leader Bernard Grech asserted on Facebook that Fearne's resignation was "inevitable" and criticized Abela for insisting that no one needed to resign, suggesting his lack of awareness of the situation.

Grech said any public official facing such allegations cannot remain in office.