Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi accused the government of undue partisanship in the field of home affairs – including in the security services – in parliament this evening.

Dr Azzopardi said that Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia and his chief of staff had held a meeting with applicants for the Malta Security Services before they were transferred them, stating that such a practice was unheard of and dangerous, given the information the MSS can access.

“No minister has ever interfered in the security services’ operations,” the MP insisted.

Dr Azzopardi said that while the ministry may bring up a staff shortage of staff at MSS as a reason for what had happened, this did not justify such actions.

“Of course there is a shortage... not everyone who wants to work at MSS is fit to be there,” he remarked.

The opposition’s spokesman for home affairs insisted that several other questionable decisions have taken place across the sector.

He noted that at least 197 transfers have taken place within the police force in less than 100 days, and that these transfers appeared to fly in the face of public order considerations.

According to Dr Azzopardi, the transfers have led to a reduction in the number of police officers in stations – the St Julians station alone lost 11 officers, even though its responsibilities, which include Paceville, will only grow this summer.

Conversely, the MP added, police numbers appear to have increased in areas which are clearly less hectic, such as the police garage.

Dr Azzopardi asked the government to confirm information he has received that the Special Assignment Group is set to be dismantled and joined with the Mobile Squad. He pointed out that Malta would end up as the only European country without an SAG equivalent, pointing out that the group would be essential should a serious disruption to public order occur.

The MP also queried whether the process started by the previous government last year to promote new inspectors and superintendents is set to be restarted, apparently to ensure that a specific officer who could not apply back then will be eligible.

Dr Azzopardi also insisted that the state of affairs in prison was far from rosy, questioning whether a number of officers who worked on a day-in day-out basis were now coming to work on their off-day and earn 12 hours of overtime for doing nothing.

The Armed Forces of Malta were also brought up: Dr Azzopardi said that it appeared that the government was seeking to replace AFM commander Martin Xuereb, despite the brigadier’s exemplary record, and also said that manoeuvring seemed to be in place to promote Labour-leaning officers.