The government and the Opposition are at loggerheads over the “forced” resignation of the national communications regulatory authority’s previous chairman Antonio Ghio, who was replaced by Edward Woods.

Economy Minister Chris Cardona denied in parliament that Dr Ghio was forced to resign, however both PN MP Claudio Grech and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil stated that Dr Ghio was forced to resign by the government, leading to a heated debate.

Mr Grech referred to media reports stating that Dr Ghio was asked to resign. He claimed that Dr Ghio was asked to resign twice but refused the first time around and therefore was forced to resign the second time around.

“The forced resignation of the chairman does not conform to the EU’s directive and the MCA Act,” Dr Busuttil and Mr Grech said in parliament.

Dr Cardona once again said that Dr Ghio requested he resigns and the government accepted, which saw Dr Busuttil posing the same question to Dr Cardona while accusing him of swaying away from the truth and from the intitial question, if Dr Ghio's resignation conformed to the EU's directive and the MCA Act.

Mr Busuttil said that this is a serious case and asked the Speaker to intervene to ensure that when one asks a question it is expected that the other side of the bench does not reply in a misguiding manner.

Dr Cardona reiterated that his reply is correct and asked the Opposition take back what it said.

The MCA board comprises Mr Woods (chairman), and members Godfrey Vella, Phelam Cavlan, Sarah Mifsud, and Alexandra Mizzi

Dr Cardona said that it is the chairman who wrote the resignation and not the government, adding that Dr Ghio handed in his resignation and the government accepted.

Dr Cardona slammed the Opposition over a letter read out by the PN whip David Agius regarding the resignation letter of Dr Ghio, sparking furore among the government benches, requesting Mr Aguis to present the letter in parliament and not simply fire claims.

The parliamentary sitting was taken off air for a few minutes, presumably till the situation calmed down.

Dr Busuttil gave the benefit of the doubt to Dr Cardona and asked him to reinstate the previous chairman to the board which saw Dr Cardona reply in the negative.

Dr Cardona accused the government of firing malicious statements.

He said one should not base his arguments simply on media reports.

At one point, Dr Cardona could hardly remember the full name of the previous chairman. 

"If I remember well, his name was Ghio," Dr Cardona said, and he resigned voluntarily.