‘A Kick In The Teeth To The Bank’s Reputation’: Former Central Bank Governor Hits Out At Edward Scicluna
Former Central Bank Governor Francis Vassallo has warned that Edward Scicluna’s refusal to step down from the top job after he was indicted over the Vitals-Steward inquiry is a “kick in the teeth” to the bank’s reputation.
Vassallo’s message was published by lawyer Jason Azzopardi on his request.
“The Central Bank of Malta has had an impeccable reputation since 1967. Until now. What Edward Scicluna has done is a kick in the teeth to all the years during which the Maltese Central Bank has worked hard to establish an impeccable reputation,” Vassallo said.
“The independence is of the institution, not of the individual occupying the post of Governor (Muscat: pls note. Tghidx cucati). When the Governor speaks on behalf of the institution of the Central Bank of Malta, yes he is independent but only so far as he is speaking on behalf of the Central Bank of Malta. When he acts “ex cathedra” he is of course independent but not in his individual capacity.”
Yesterday, former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat reacted to a Times report that Cabinet could force Scicluna to resign by warning that such a move would probably be illegal.
“The idea that Cabinet can force the removal of the Central Bank Governor goes against the independence of institutions and will likely be found to be illegal,” Muscat, who has also been indicted over the same inquiry, told Lovin Malta.
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