Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse for Hanafy: MPs who have been gunning to oust embattled Supply Minister Khalid Hanafy over the wheat corruption scandal are now accusing him of misusing public funds. These MPs led by none other than Moustafa Bakry, have accused Hanafy of costing the ministry EGP 7 mn for an extended stay at the Semiramis Intercontinental, Ahram Online reports. Both the Supply Ministry and Hanafy denied the accusation, with the latter adding that the matter was a private affair and “only my family can judge me on it,” Al Shorouk reports.

This comes as the long-awaited report on the wheat corruption scandal is expected to be handed to the House Speaker today after numerous delays. Deliberations on the report are expected to begin on today or tomorrow. Hanafy had been accused of directly contributing to the squandering of EGP 14 bn by members of the House of Representatives committee investigating allegations of fraud in this winter’s wheat harvest, which drafted the report. Other members have put the figures at a more conservative estimate of EGP 600 mn. Bakri said, "The corruption exposed by the fact-finding committee and Hanafi’s shady practices should put the government before two choices: either Hanafi chooses to resign from office by his own free will, or parliament withdraws confidence from him."

Meanwhile, the House is maneuvering to take an oversight role on wheat imports, having formed a committee that will work with the Agriculture and Supply Ministry to “ensure that limits on ergot contamination are enforced,” Al Mal reports. The new committee will be led by MP Hisham El Shoeiny. So much for separation of the branches of government…