Malta’s government has filed a court application so the appeal made by Steward Malta following a damning court verdict is heard as a matter of urgency “in the public interest and in the national interest”.

Though Malta didn’t appeal the February sentence handed down by Judge Francesco Depasquale in the First Chamber of the Civil Court, it did issue a response to applications from Steward themselves, where a total of ten judicial acts were brought.

In its responses, the state said it opposed Steward’s request to submit new evidence and documents.

And in the case that court accepts this request, the state retained the right to be in a position to respond to them, even by submitting a request to present documents that were not available (nor existed) before the judgment was handed down.

This is because there were developments after the sentencing, the government said.

The Maltese Government also opposed to Steward’s request to refer the case to the European Courts.

In his ruling following a case filed by PN MP Adrian Delia, Judge Francesco Depasquale ordered the annulment of the deal and the return of the St Luke’s, Karin Grech and Gozo hospitals to the government, with all court costs to be borne by Steward Malta.

Depasquale was scathing in his assessment of Steward, ruling that the healthcare provider had displayed a lack of good faith when it convinced the government to insert a €100 million termination clause in the concession.

The judge warned that Steward had “reprehensibly and unjustifiably enriched itself” off the backs of the Maltese government and people.

He also questioned the government’s motivations, stating that “no one with Malta’s good at heart would have everted into such a deal unless taken in by fraud”.