No comments to press on magisterial inquiry

By Kurt Sansone

Yesterday evening Police Commissioner George Grech denied that he had been summoned by Magistrate Hayman. He accused sections of the press of attempting to distort the course of justice. He added that at no point has an appointment been arranged with Magistrate Hayman.

When contacted yesterday before the Commissioner’s statement, Magistrate Hayman would not confirm or deny whether she had listened to Police Commissioner Grech’s version in relation to the allegations of sexual harassment.

The magistrate is heading the inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment. It was widely expected for the Commissioner to testify before the inquiry yesterday. However, One News reported that the Commissioner did not appear in court at the scheduled time.

Mr Grech has over the past week maintained his innocence and denied all the allegations brought against him. When the story broke in MaltaToday and Kullhadd, two Sundays ago, the Commissioner said that he did not know about the inquiry and learnt about it from the media.

Meanwhile, The Malta Financial and Business Times has learnt that the woman who made the allegations was appointed a Trainee Probation Officer in October 1999 by Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg.

The woman of Polish descent is a Maltese citizen and is married to a Maltese man. It is reported that the woman received a number of threatening calls related to the case, The Malta Financial Business Times has been informed that a private security agency has been contracted to protect her.