Chris Fearne To Be Re-Nominated As EU Commissioner If Court Decides Not To Indict Him
Former Health Minister Chris Fearne may end up becoming Malta’s European Commissioner if the court finds that there was not enough prima facie evidence to indict him, Prime Minister Robert Abela said earlier today.
While speaking to the media, Abela said that this is one of the most “probable possibilities”.
Fearne is facing fraud and misappropriation charges in connection to the Vitals Healthcare Magisterial Inquiry and next week, the court will decide whether there is enough evidence to indict him.
Last month, in light of the news of the charges, Fearne stepped down as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of EU Funds while asking the government to retract his nomination as Malta’s next European Commissioner. However, he did remain deputy leader.
The prime minister has until 24th July to nominate the country’s representative.
In one of the recent sittings, Auditor General Charles Deguara had said that an investigation had found no shortcomings on Fearne’s part.
The Vitals Healthcare deal went ahead when Fearne was Health Minister and just last year, the courts annulled the deal after ruling that fraud occurred at several points.
In April, the magisterial inquiry into the case was concluded and a list of people were charged including Joseph Muscat, Konrad Mizzi, Keith Schembri, and Edward Scicluna. Scicluna and Fearne are facing charges for less serious crimes.
In the case of Muscat, enough prima facie evidence was found for him to be indicted.
Just last week, information emerged that Fearne was the victim of a smear campaign of “fake” corruption claims funded by Steward – the company that took over the privatisation deal from Vitals. Fearne subsequently put a formal request for the police to investigate.
Who do you think should be Malta’s nomination for the European Commission?
READ NEXT: Watch: Maltese Drummer Performs On New York’s Today Show
