Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil has filed a court application asking for the five libel cases he filed in the space of two days to be heard urgently.
Dr Busuttil is suing the PL and General Workers Union media in five separate cases in what he labelled as an invented story that he blackmailed the Gaffarena family.
“I have requested the cases to be heard urgently because I am not afraid of the truth and I want it to be confirmed that the story that I blackmailed the Gaffarena family is a lie from beginning to end,” Dr Busuttil said.
“Claiming that the Opposition Leader blackmailed someone is a criminal act in itself,” the PN Leader said in a statement. “Therefore it is in the public interest that the truth comes out as soon as possible.” Dr Busuttil said he hoped that the court would accede to his request so that the truth would come out and those responsible for the lying would “shoulder responsibility for their actions instead of hiding behind court delays.”
Dr Busuttil said the Opposition would keep up the pressure on the Prime Minister to take action on the report by retired judge Michael Mallia, which found dangerous links between the Gaffarena and Zammit families, “which are both being pushed by the Labour Party.” A week has passed since the report was published but Joseph Muscat has remained silent, he said. “The Opposition will not allow the government to brush off its responsibilities by trying to deviate attention away from the subject.”
Busuttil should explain instead of playing the lawyer's game - PL
In reply, the PL said that instead of playing to the gallery and playing the lawyer’s game, the Opposition Leader should explain the links between the PN and the persons he is insulting.
“It is clear that Simon Busuttil was hiding the fact that a meeting was held in his office during which things he wants to remain unheard were said. If he really had nothing to hide he would have declared this right from the start.”
The PL said that the people under attack by the Opposition leader are close to those closest to him in the party. This relationship was much deeper than the PN wants us to believe.
The party said Simon Busuttil and the PN were always first to make allegations. “Instead of holding press conferences to throw mud Busuttil and the PN should call the press to shed some light on themselves. They have much to explain,” the PL said.
PN 'not scared of the truth'
In another statement, the PN said that, in contrast to Labour, it is not scared of the truth.
“Joseph Muscat has lost all credibility and is being held hostage by corrupt people. The PL is resorting to baseless attacks that will soon come back to haunt it.”Simon Busuttil filed 5 libel cases and an application for their urgent hearing because the PN is not afraid of the truth.