Bondiplus presenter Lou Bondì has retracted a comment made against Frank Portelli when he said that Portelli had withdrawn allegations made over alleged corruption during the construction of Mater Dei Hospital.

During this evening's programme, Bondì said he had incorrectly stated that Portelli had withdrawn the allegations. Bondì also read out a reply sent by Police Commissioner John Rizzo over the MDH investigations.

"All allegations made and information provided to the Police have been investigated... the outcome of the investigation did not yield enough evidence to proceed in court. Unless new information emerges, the case is concluded," Rizzo told Bondì.

Earlier

St Philip's Hospital director Frank Portelli branded Bondiplus presenter Lou Bondì a liar after the latter accused Portelli of retracting allegations made in 2007 that commissions were paid during the construction of Mater Dei Hospital.

While interviewing Labour candidate Manuel Mallia and PN candidate Claudio Grech on Tuesday's edition of Bondiplus, Portelli's name resurfaced in connection with the kickbacks paid over Enemalta oil purchases. Three years ago, the former PN president had said that former Enemalta officials had made money from public contracts.

But when Mallia pointed out that once a Whistleblower's Act is enacted, Portelli would be able to come forward and speak freely over his allegations, Bondì commented that Portelli had retracted allegations made over MDH when the police had started investigating.

Reacting on Facebook, Portelli accused Bondì of lying: "The evidence I gave to the police showed that a member of the adjudicating board of contracts had himself also submitted a tender - with others - on Mater Dei."

Portelli said that this person had taken out material "such as bills of quantities, site plans, and other tender requirements" and photocopied this information. He said that this was made behind the backs of the other board members.
"One individual benefitted from property that was transferred to him at a
fraction of the market price... A high-ranking individual called me that evening: I presume this was done in an attempt to ease the pressure," Portelli wrote on Facebook.

"I had not mentioned names - yet they had identified themselves. Christmas came early that year."

Portelli went on to add that once a Whistleblower's Act is enacted, "we will have the full story on Enemalta and the web of corruption".