The Court of Appeal’s decision means that the Labour Party has wasted time for justice not to be made, the Nationalist Party said.
For this, the Maltese people are paying dearly because the Opposition has two fewer MPs in Parliament.
The Labour Party knew about the case but has done its best to lengthen the process. It was only after the first ruling that it woke up and appealed to be part of the case. This was clearly done to further lengthen the proceedings, the PN said.
As a consequence, two years have already been lost and more time will pass before the court deals with new proceedings.
The PL has managed to manipulate the legal system to waste time. Justice delayed is justice denied, and by taking this stand the PL is challenging the people’s democratic rights.
Day after day, the PL is becoming a threat to democracy, the PN said, adding that it will continue to be determined that justice is carried out.
Government replies
In a reply, the government said that the Opposition Leader needs to understand the constitutional role he shoulders.
The constitutional court, presided by the chief justice and two other judges from the Appeals court have ruled over an important case. But shortly after the judgment was made public, Dr Busuttil claimed that the Labour Party managed to manipulate the legal system – giving the impression that our democracy is being threatened, the statement said.
“This is completely unacceptable. The Opposition Leader has hit rock bottom,” the statement said. “The constitutional court is the guardian of the democracy and protects human rights, and the government has always showed respect to the institution. The Opposition Leader should act decently."
PL replies
In reply, the Labour Party said that the PN and its leader are restorting to unprecedented attacks on respected institutions.
The PN's attack today was the second one in a week after the Opposition Leader tried to intimidate the whistleblower involved in the case regarding the husband of former Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono.
Court judgment