A campaign launched this morning by 89.7 Bay to raise awareness about domestic violence left Minister Helena Dalli in the hot seat after she persisted with condemning both Labour MP Joe Debono Grech and Independent MP Marlene Farrugia, even though it was the former who threatened the latter. With her words, the minister insisted that there was no distinction between what Mr Debono Grech said and what Dr Farrugia said in Parliament, when all those who heard the exchange understood Mr Debono Grech's words as a direct threat to the independent MP, so much so that he later wrote a letter of apology.

Social Dialogue, Civil Liberties and Consumer Affairs Minister Helena Dalli said that comparing Debono Grech’s threat against Dr Farrugia in Parliament to domestic violence and domestic abuse was a “disservice” to the number of genuine victims following the matter.

The threat made in Parliament by Mr Debono Grech last month was “nigi ghalik u nifqghak.”, with the Speaker in a ruling the following week not taking any action against the veteran MP.

Dr Dalli stressed that both MPs had been insulting each other, and that one cannot expect to be shielded from heated words on the basis of one’s gender. She added that the threat was unacceptable, and also said that the insulting language used against each other was completely unacceptable.

In response to being asked what was learnt from the whole incident, Social Policy and Family Minister Michael Farrugia, who was also present at the press conference, said that the need for more respect between MPs was brought to the forefront. Asked about whether Mr Debono Grech’s apology was enough to rectify the matter, he said that as a Catholic he was brought up to accept genuine apologies.

Reacting to the comments, Dr Farrugia said that the comments made by Minister Dalli are "scandalous".

After her debacle in Parliament last week and this additional outburst, her position as Civil Liberties Minister is no longer tenable, Dr Farrugia said.

Contacted by The Malta Independent, Dr Farrugia said that the comments being made against her "are inciting people against me. They are lying about me, about what really happened in Parliament that day. I was insulted on the day of the incident and I was insulted when the Speaker took no action."

Dr Farrugia said that in her role as Civil Liberties Minister, Helena Dalli is supposed to be promoting equality between men and women but her behaviour shows that she does not believe there should be equality between the genders.

The #WALKAWAY campaign will feature various radio spots, an informative website which offers support and guidance and lastly, a song has been commissioned to further support the campaign.

Video Jonathan Borg

Photograph by Jonathan Borg