The Malta Maritime Authority (MMA) referred yesterday to the allegations and accusations being made in Parliament against the authority, and individuals within the authority, by Labour MP Joe Mizzi, with regard to the ongoing police investigation into the issuing of nautical licences by the authority.

The MMA said it strongly deplored the fact that, while police investigations are still in progress, Mr Mizzi had chosen “to orchestrate a trial in Parliament and in the media against a number of individuals in the authority”.

The authority declared that “with his irresponsible actions”, Mr Mizzi may be undermining the course of justice in this investigation.

Furthermore, the MMA said it expects that, for each and every allegation made in Parliament, Mr Mizzi will make public all the tangible evidence in his possession, instead of persisting in a shameful mud-slinging campaign under the privilege of parliamentary protection.

If he is so convinced of the truth of the allegations he has made in parliament, said the MMA, then Mr Mizzi should repeat those allegations outside parliament so that, if necessary, the appropriate legal action can be taken in his regard.

In default of doing so, said the MMA, the public can only come to one conclusion, which is that Mr Mizzi’s primary intention is only to slander, to mislead, and to throw mud for cheap political gain, while at the same time hiding behind his privilege of parliamentary protection.