Chris Fearne has resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EU Funds in light of the charges he is set to face in connection with the Vitals-Steward magisterial inquiry.

He has also asked that the Maltese government retract his nomination as Malta’s next European Commissioner.

“I would have preferred to have the accusations and the procès-verbal in hand before acting, but it seems as though this will take a while, and I cannot keep on waiting,” Fearne wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Robert Abela.

“The country, including its democratic and European institutions, deserve nothing less.”

“Although I still don’t know what is in the procès-verbal or what I am being accused of, I know what I did and didn’t do as Minister. No one is more certain than I am that the courts will find me innocent.”

“A substantial part of this truth has already emerged from other national institutions. In three reports on this case, the Auditor General exculpated me of all guilt and emphasised the “sidelining of the Health Ministry from every significant involvement with this concession related to public health”.

“These are facts, black on white. I always carried out my duty with integrity and correctly and never came close to breaking the law.”

“I already proved that I’m not grasped to the seat of power.”

“As you know, because you were present, I informed the PL’s parliamentary group that I am ready to resign if I am charged. The parliamentary group showed their trust in me, and you also showed that you believe in my integrity and capabilities. I truly appreciate this trust.”

“When I was a child, my parents taught me to act properly at all times. I have always done this and I am doing so now.”

“Political correctness, the national and European institutions, my oath of office and my loyalty to the party I gave my life to serve demand this of me. In the current circumstances – and because I respect the institutions – I cannot continue honouring this sacred obligations as I have always done. My political duty is only to help the nation, its institutions and its people.”

“Despite the unfair charges against me and the lack of proof, I must place Malta, the Constitution and my Maltese siblings above everything else.”

“I am not taking this step because I doubt my innocence but because it is the right move. I thank you for the opportunity you gave me to serve Malta. It was the greatest honour of my life.”

“I am therefore resigning as Deputy Prime Minister and government minister. Since I respect the European institutions, I am requesting that my nomination to the European Commission be retracted. The one thing I humbly hope for is that the judicial process is expedited so that I can clean my name as quickly as possible and be in a position to serve my country again if it wants me to.”