Opposition leader Adrian Delia has pledged to take action against shadow health minister Stephen Spiteri if proof emerges that he had falsified medical certificates.

“I don’t think that Stephen Spiteri signed medical certificates for people he hadn’t seen and I’m not aware that there is any formal investigation which is ongoing,” Delia said in a recent interview with Lovin Malta. “When I last spoke to Spiteri about this a few months ago, he had given me assurances that made me feel comfortable, and yes, I am completely comfortable with Stephen Spiteri.”

“However, this is premised. If there’s any finding of illegality or untowardness, then there’s no two weights, two measures with me, that’s very simple.”

Although he refused to speculate on what course of action he would take, Delia insisted that “there will be consequences to be paid” against anyone who breaks the law.

“If it turns out that you or I broke the law, then there will also be consequences, which are very clear in my mind,” he said. “It’s not acceptable for anyone to break the law in a normal country.”

The case goes back to 2017, when Lovin Malta published a telephone recording with Spiteri’s receptionist, who revealed a medical certificate racket at the shadow health minister’s Kalkara pharmacy. Anyone requiring a medical certificate could simply leave their personal details along with €5 at the pharmacy and pick up the signed certificate later on, despite not having even seen Spiteri.

This prompted an investigation by the Medical Council, the state of which is currently unknown. However, Spiteri has denied the allegations, arguing that the phone call was held with his receptionist, “who was prompted and led on to tell the caller what he wanted to hear”.

Earlier today, the Social Solidarity Ministry announced that the maximum validity of medical certificates has been extended from one to two weeks.

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Tim Diacono

Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]