In a written statement, Anastasiades asked the attorney-general, the auditor-general, and the chairman of the House Ethics Committee, to investigate the claims that he was either directly or indirectly involved, through his law office, which had represented one of the suitors, Ryanair, for a short period.

The firm admitted to representing the airline initially but said that it terminated their co-operation later on.

“I do not reprove, nor do I consider the criticism unfair,” the president said.

He added that after his election and departure from the firm he had agreed with his former partners that they would not represent anyone whose interests were linked with government decisions.

The president went on to say that after he found out that the firm represented Ryanair in the early stages of the procedure to sell Cyprus Airways, he asked them to terminate the agreement.

“My reaction was stern and the result was the termination of any relation between the law firm and the company in question,” he said.

Source: Cyprus Mail