Forever friends - Kevin Cassar
“Rest assured, I did nothing behind Joseph Muscat’s back.” This was Keith Schembri’s sworn testimony to the Caruana Galizia inquiry.
Not once but three times, Schembri insisted that whatever he did, Muscat knew about. “Did you tell Joseph Muscat of your friendship with Yorgen Fenech,” he was asked.
Schembri could have simply answered “Yes, I did”. Instead, his answer revealed much more. “Muscat knew everything. I hid nothing from him.”Schembri’s calculated revelation is an intimidating message to Muscat. It is also a message to the nation: I wasn’t alone. Don’t blame me, Muscat was the boss.
Schembri was determined to get his message across.
He was asked by the inquiry board whether he knew cabinet ministers claimed he betrayed Muscat.
Again, another message for Joseph: “I am still friends with Joseph Muscat” ‒ till now. He insisted “I never did anything without informing the prime minister.”Schembri wasn’t an out of control maverick. He was just following the roadmap ‒ Joseph’s roadmap.
Schembri’s message rings loud and clear. Those, like Robert Abela who claimed, in that chaotic cabinet meeting in November 2019 when Schembri resigned as chief of staff that “Keith Schembri...