Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil announced this evening that a second national demonstration against corruption will be held on Sunday afternoon.

Addressing a press conference, Dr Busuttil said the Panama Papers revelations were the biggest international corruption scandal ever.

“We have long known about Konrad Mizzi’s involvement but we have now learnt a number of new facts. Firstly, the enormous international impact of what has been revealed. These revelations have led to international furor, calls for resignations and protests in several countries. The Icelandic PM has this evening announced his resignation after he was personally implicated.”

Dr Busuttil said Konrad Mizzi was the only EU minister to be mentioned in the Panama Papers. “He is among 140 politicians mentioned but the only minister of an EU state. He is mentioned in the same list which includes Syrian and Libyan dictators.”

The Opposition Leader said Konrad Mizzi’s "egoism" had cost the country incalculable harm. “He was caught lying once again. Despite what he has been claiming for seven weeks it has now been revealed that he tried to open bank accounts in Panama and Dubai. The reason why they were not actually opened was because he was refused by the bank – they were not comfortable that this was not corruption money or that the money was obtained before he became minister.”

Dr Busuttil said Dr Mizzi wanted to set up a brokerage firm when he was already a minister. He said so himself when he applied with Mossack Fonseca. “When a minister tries to go into brokerage there can be no doubt about intent of corruption or money laundering. The Police should investigate him over this – crimes that carry serious penalties.”

He said the Prime Minister’s reaction yesterday made no sense and Dr Muscat had lost all sense of responsibility. “He has made Malta the shame of the EU. The obvious thing to do is to sack Mizzi and Schembri but he keeps defending them. This could imply that he is also involved. He is willing to let the country sink with him but I will not allow this.”

The PN Leader said public anger towards Mizzi has turned into anger at the Prime Minister. He announced a second national demonstration against corruption on Sunday at 4.30pm in front of the Auberge de Castille. “The aim is to give space to people who are angry and disappointed at the situation the PM, Konrad MIzzi and Keith Schembri have dragged the country into. This will be a national demo and everyone is invited to attend, including those who did not vote PN and civil society. The theme is ‘you either sack them or you all have to leave.”

Fielding questions, Dr Busuttil said that, when the Swiss Leaks scandal erupted, he had asked all 30 PN MPs to sign a declaration stating that they had no undeclared foreign accounts, companies or trusts. “All 30 had signed the declaration. If anyone lied they would have to shoulder the responsibility.”

Asked if the PN would file a motion of no confidence against Minister Mizzi, Dr Busuttil said things would come when the time was right. 

Asked about a report, published in The Malta Independent today, that Education Minister Evarist Bartolo had called for Mizzi’s resignation, Dr Busuttil said this was a very important development. “There are clear movements within the PL by people who are calling for Konrad Mizzi’s resignation. I appealed to Labour MPs yesterday – I told them that many of them are honourable and serious people and that, in the national interest, and in the interest of the oath that they took, they should disassociate themselves and not be accomplices in this scandal. I understand that this is the PL’s problem and I will not tell them how they should run their party but I appeal to all people of principle that what I am saying is true and that I hold the national interest at heart when I call for Mizzi’s resignation.” 

In a statement, the Labour Party said the general public wants action, not words when it comes to transparency and accountability, which is what the government has implemented through the introduction of the Whistleblower Act, Party Financing legislation and the removal of time-barring of proceedings. The PL said that the PN dragged its feet for 25 years on such issues.