Joseph Muscat demands halt of hospitals inquiry pending decision on magistrate’s removal

Muscat’s lawyers have requested that the proceedings be halted pending a decision on his request to have the inquiring magistrate removed.

He said the filing showed clearly that Magistrate Vella could not continue leading the inquiry because of continuous leaks, including from her investigators.

The magistrate did not recuse herself following public comments on the merits of the case by her close relatives, Muscat said.

Vella had not accepted his numerous requests to testify, Muscat said, accepting a report against him without granting him the legal right to reply.

“There is numerous case law indicating that the magistrate should have recused herself”, the disgraced former prime minister added.

The inquiry led by Magistrate Gabriella Vella is looking into possible corruption in the privatisation process of St Luke’s, Karin Grech and Gozo General hospitals.

Last month, Times of Malta revealed investigators suspect Muscat received kickbacks in connection to the privatisation deal with Vitals Global Healthcare.

Muscat has claimed further violations of his right to a fair trial, saying the Criminal Code did not offer him the same constitutional guarantees and procedural safeguards as the original suspects.

He said this created inequality between those who have been investigated following a police report and himself, who became a suspect during the course of the inquiry.