Watch: ‘PN Sold A Falsity To The Nation’ – Abela Reacts To ICC Steward Ruling
Prime Minister Robert Abela said the conclusion of the government’s international arbitration case with Steward Healthcare shows the Opposition “sold a falsity to the public”.
“We heard so many claims that Steward fled Malta with €400 million and that the government had paid them for services they didn’t provide,” Abela told a press conference.
“The International Chamber of Commerce has now completely dismissed this lie. I had clearly explained what services the government was paying Steward for, and the tribunal carried out a rigorous analysis.”
“It reached the conclusion that Steward repaid the money it was given to it in terms of service and infrastructural works, and said the government got fair value for money paid.”
“The ICC not only dismissed Adrian Delia’s claim – echoed by Alex Borg – that the government wasted €400 million, but also confirmed that Steward provided €4.7 million more in services than it was paid for.”
Steward sought €148 million in compensation on the basis of a clause in the confession which promised a payout in the eventuality of the termination of the deal. However, the ICC tribunal dismissed this claim.
“This decision, which was taken by some of the world’s best legal experts, clearly shows that the Opposition had sold a falsity to the public.”
“They kept repeating the same claim, hoping people would eventually believe it. But this authoritative decision makes it clear that all their billboards, parliamentary statements, and press conferences suggesting the state spent millions without receiving services were a lie from start to finish.”
Cover photo: Government of Malta