‘What Do You Think Chris Fearne?’: Silvio Grixti Calls Out Past ‘Forgiven’ Medical Certificate Scandals
A former PL MP currently caught in the middle of an alleged social benefit racket has called out Health Minister Chris Fearne on what he deems to be double standards in how his case is being handled… seemingly drawing comparisons to a past scandal by another politician-doctor.
Family doctor Silvio Grixti took to Facebook this afternoon with a short but ominous message, sharing a photo of one of the medical certificates used to apply for medical benefits.
“Why is that, in the recent past, when there were stories in the media about abuse of these certificates, the police didn’t investigate, as if it was all forgiven?” Grixti asked. “What do you think Chris Fearne??”
While Grixti didn’t clarify what past cases he was referring to, his latest comments seemingly allude to the case of PN MP Stephen Spiteri, who was accused of issuing medical certifications to patients he hadn’t actually seen following a Lovin Malta report back in 2017.
Lovin Malta has reached out to Silvio Grixti to get more clarity over today’s statement.
The former Labour MP is said to be at the centre of a fraudulent scheme that gave monthly Severe Disability benefits to people who were not entitled to them, allegedly as political favours, defrauding the government of millions.
Just over a month ago, Lovin Malta was informed that Grixti refused to give testimony to the Medical Council about his involvement in the alleged racket.
In his response to a letter by the Medical Council, Grixti actually made reference to a judgement passed by the Constitutional Court back in June 2022 on Stephen Spiteri’s case.
In that decision, the court ruled that the human rights of Spiteri were breached due to the Medical Council’s multi-role as investigator, prosecutor and punisher, with powers to suspend doctors’ warrants. Although this judgment was passed over a year ago, the government has yet to update the law regulating the Medical Council.
As a result, Grixti – who is being represented by top lawyers Franco Debono and Arthur Azzopardi – had informed the Medical Council that he wouldn’t speak to them because its current operations have been found to breach the human rights of medical professionals.
Last week, Grixti was questioned by police over his part in the disability benefits scandal, two years after he was interrogated just before resigning as MP.
As pressure continues to pile on the government to update the law to avoid the Medical Council getting turned into a redundant and toothless entity, this latest comment by Grixti will be seen as yet another jab in a convoluted quest for clarity.
What do you make of this latest development?
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