In 2023 a Maltese court struck down the government’s agreement with VGH, which was taken over by Dallas-based Steward Health Care in 2018, after finding both companies failed in all their obligations.
At least 24 individuals are involved in the scandal and will all stand accused of varying offences, according to the Times of Malta.
“I would have preferred to have been notified of the charges and the procès-verbal of the magisterial inquiry regarding VGH/Steward before I acted,” Fearne wrote. “However since it seems that this process will take time, it is not possible for me to delay any longer. The country, including its democratic and European institutions, deserve no less.”
Fearne said that his stepping down “by no means implies that I harbour any doubts whatsoever about my innocence. I am taking it solely because it is the right thing to do.”
He pointed out once again that three reports by the National Audit Office cleared him of having any “meaningful involvement” in the Vitals deal. “In all my duties I have always acted with integrity, rectitude, and strictly within the confines of the law,” he wrote.
This story has been updated.
