Commissioner Clears Clint Camilleri Of Comino Ethics Breach, Arnold Cassola Responds

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri has been exonerated by the Standards Commissioner concerning ethical misconduct allegations centred on unauthorised construction within a designated Natura 2000 site.

Individuals insinuated this might have conferred undue advantages to certain individuals on Comino Island who had affiliations with Minister Camilleri during his electoral campaign.

The initial issue was raised by Arnold Cassola, an independent political figure, back in 2021. The Commissioner made out that the Planning Authority had accorded the necessary approvals for the construction activities on Gozo Island. This was confusing given the long-standing untouched status of the nature preserve.

The findings of the Office of the Ombudsman mirrored these insights. Their inquiry indicated that the developmental projects on Comino, under Camilleri’s purview, lacked the requisite permissions. The Commissioner, however, accentuated that the mandate for such approvals predominantly lies with the Planning Authority, not his office.

Minister Camilleri addressed the issue on Facebook, celebrating the exoneration and saying that the law needs to be equal for all.