It’s been 17 days but disgraced former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis have still not presented any proof that they paid for the stay at Yorgen Fenech’s Hilton Hotel in Évian-Les-Bains.

Lovin Malta revealed that Muscat and Zammit Lewis allegedly stayed at the hotel for free in 2014.

Zammit Lewis and Muscat took commercial flights to and from Evian, which were paid out by both men. However, during the trip, Muscat was called in for a European Summit in Brussels.

Zammit Lewis tagged along. The pair allegedly boarded a private jet belonging to Fenech for their journey to and from Brussels. The expenses, sources have said, were covered by the European Union.

The pair issued vociferous denials, but never actually commented on whether they or Fenech paid for the hotel.

“I did not phone anyone from the Fenech family to ask for any favours nor did I ask for suggestions about which hotel to stay in and never gave any gifts to the Fenech family in compensation for any freebies,” Zammit Lewis said.

Lovin Malta has continued to press the pair to provide proof of payment. They have both failed to reply to questions sent. They have also failed to clarify whether this was their only visit to this hotel, their only vacation paid by Fenech, or in the company of Fenech.

Zammit Lewis had previously told the newsroom that he acted ethically while serving as Minister. However, is yet to provide receipts.

Last November, when testifying at the public inquiry looking into Caruana Galizia’s murder, Zammit Lewis said he has receipts for all events he organised at Fenech’s hotels.

Two weeks ago, Tumas Group has said it’s investigating who had footed the bill for Muscat’s and Zammit Lewis’ holiday at the Évian-Les-Bains hotel. However, it is yet to be concluded.

Both Muscat and Zammit Lewis have an intimate relationship with Fenech. Muscat shared a secret WhatsApp group with Fenech and their “fraternal best friend” former Prime Minister’s chief of staff Keith Schembri.

The WhatsApp group existed between January and October 2019. Before that date, it was a private chat between Fenech and Muscat before Schembri was added.

Most of the messages seem to be innocuous, focusing on a picture of whiskies, wines, food, and women. There is a reference to the use of a secret room. Some have suggested it could be within Portomaso, others within Fenech’s Haz-Zebbug farmhouse.

Well-informed sources have previously revealed that there could be between 800 to 1,000 messages between Schembri and Fenech.

With regards to Zammit Lewis, it has been revealed that he shared hundreds of WhatsApp messages with Fenech, the last of which was sent in October 2019, a month before his eventual arrest.

Over that same period, Muscat and Schembri left the WhatsApp group. This was soon after they were informed that police were planning to arrest middleman-turned-state-witness Melvin Theuma.

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