Peter Fenech—lawyer, fixer, and now the man being called “Peter Peter Panel Beater” by his critics—is making waves for all the wrong reasons. At the center of Malta’s never-ending Vitals Global Healthcare (VGH) saga, Fenech is juggling roles that have raised serious questions about his intentions and, more importantly, his conflicts of interest.
Not only is Fenech representing Jeremy Harbinson, the lead forensic analyst central to the inquiry, but he’s also the lawyer for Miroslava Milenovic, the so called “Forensic Accountant” in the same investigation. Sounds pretty normal for a lawyer, right? Except Fenech’s connections to the players involved in this saga run deep. Too deep for comfort.
See, Peter Fenech isn’t just representing these experts. He previously advised VGH investors in a bid to block the transfer of the hospital concession to Steward Healthcare. Back in 2018, Fenech was in court announcing the withdrawal of a prohibitory injunction. Critics have pointed out the obvious: how can someone who worked for the original investors now have any role representing the key so called Experts in this inquiry? It’s a conflict of interest so glaring, you’d think he’d be keeping a lower profile.
But Fenech isn’t exactly known for flying under the radar. Turns out, he was also the business partner of Simon Busuttil, the former Opposition Leader whose name is synonymous with drama and division in Maltese politics. Busuttil’s past is littered with accusations and fiery rhetoric, and his connection to Fenech only adds to the growing unease about the lawyer’s role in the VGH proceedings.
The nickname “Peter Peter Panel Beater” hasn’t come out of nowhere. It’s a jab at what critics see as Fenech’s real role: smoothing over problems and patching up reputations. Whether it’s representing experts in the inquiry or working behind the scenes with VGH investors, the perception is clear—Fenech seems to be bending over backward to protect certain interests.
All of this is happening in a country where a small, influential group is weaponizing the justice system against those who have transformed Malta for the better. This isn’t about truth or justice—it’s about using inquiries and investigations to settle scores and push agendas. And Fenech, with his tangled web of connections, is right in the middle of it all.
So, is Peter Fenech just a lawyer doing his job, or is he Malta’s real-life “panel beater,” trying to hammer dents into a process that should be exposing the truth? The answer depends on who you ask, but one thing’s for sure: his role in the VGH proceedings is raising more questions than answers.
In recent years, the courts and legal processes have increasingly become battlegrounds for political rivalries and power struggles. Instead of serving as impartial arbiters of justice, these institutions are often perceived as tools leveraged by influential figures to discredit opponents, or settle scores. This trend not only undermines public confidence in the judicial system but also creates an environment where the pursuit of truth is secondary to political expediency. The VGH saga is a prime example of this dynamic, where investigations and inquiries appear entangled in a web of political interests, leaving us to question whether justice is truly being served, or simply managed by the powers that be.
As the VGH saga drags on, all eyes will be on Peter Peter Panel Beater—and whether he’s working to uncover the truth or keep it hidden beneath a shiny, polished surface. One thing’s for sure: Malta’s political theater just got a lot more entertaining. Stay tuned.
