Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi expressed shock at comments by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat which, he said, meant that there was nothing wrong for a senior official in a ministry to speak to one of the principal witnesses in an inquiry which is supposed to be independent.

Such behaviour was scandalous, especially now that it is clear that it had been done with the Prime Minister’ blessing, Dr Azzopardi charged.

The matter refers to the arraignment of Darryl Luke Borg, who in court was wrongly accused of a crime, for which another persons eventually pleaded guilty.

Dr Azzopardi said the Prime Minister has no credibility when saying that the government had the duty to inform the police board to heard Mr Borg’s testimony. The board, he added, is chaired by a judge who certainly does not need the advice of the ministry’s head about hearing one of the main witnesses in the case which is the subject of the inquiry.

Dr Azzopardi said it was disquieting that a known criminal has direct access to the government’s senior officials, and this undermines the democratic institutions. The Prime Minister, he added had ignored all concepts of accountability, standards and leadership, just months after a general election fought on the illusion of better government and high levels of government.

In reply, the Labour Party said that Dr Azzopardi had made “serious allegations and declarations” for which they must take political responsibility.

Once a person wants to talk, the government has the duty to listen and act accordingly, the PL said.

The PN is a party of the past, one that does not listen to the people and does what is suitable. This government is committed to continue listening to the people, the PL said.

In another statement, the government said it has full confidence in Judge Franco Depasquale, who is leading the Police Board investigations.

The victim of the case asked for a meeting with a ministry official and, in the most correct way, the ministry felt the obligation to accede to the request. The government is being transparent on the issue for justice to be made.

The Opposition should say who it is defending by the way it is trying to prejudice the independent inquiry, the government said.

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-08-19/news/government-obliged-to-listen-to-wrongly-accused-man-insists-pm-2366636034/