Prime Minister Joseph Muscat today said he is unaware of the challenge made by the Nationalist Party for him to publish the invoices related to his family holiday in Dubai at Easter-time.
Last Saturday, the PN had issued a statement saying that “if the PL is so obsessed with invoices, it should publish the invoices of PM Muscat's holiday in Dubai and the invoices of the work related to his property in Burmarrad.” It was referring to the Labour Party’s requests for Mario de Marco to publish invoices for work carried out on his property.
Asked by The Malta Independent whether he will be taking up the challenge, Dr Muscat appeared visibly taken aback and said that he did not know about such a request (click here for story)
PN statement
He added however that he pays for his vacations. “I paid for my vacation as I always do”, before moving on to the next question.
He said that he will not interfere in the process regarding the eventual replacement of Minister Leo Brincat, should he be appointed to the EU Court of Auditors.
Dr Muscat was asked whether Toni Abela would be co-opted into Parliament to replace Mr Brincat.
In response, the Prime Minister said: “The opposition leader yesterday made a not so veiled threat on Leo Brincat. This is the difference between the parties. We, in every nomination even when we were in opposition, even if we didn’t agree with it, supported it unconditionally. I hope we will see the opposition actively help rather than try and disrupt the process”.
“Regarding the seat (to be eventually vacated by Leo Brincat in Parliament) there is a process; those who contested the election (in the district contested by Mr Brincat) have a right to throw their name in for a by-election and I do not interfere in that”.
While addressing a press conference at Castille, Dr Muscat was also asked about Michael Falzon’s “witch hunt” comment regarding the NAO report situation.
Dr Muscat said that Michael Falzon has a right to defend himself and “I will defend his right to defend himself.”
“I don’t attack institutions even if I don’t agree with them,” he said. “Yesterday, the Opposition said that the Police Commissioners under the PN administration were not attacked. Of course as I didn’t attack him and that was a deliberate choice”.
Asked, given that Minister Mizzi tried to open bank accounts in 9 banks and that they requested €1million to be deposited is enough proof for Minister Mizzi to be removed, Dr Muscat said that the very fact he didn’t have a million to put inside is proof to the contrary.
Video Jonathan Borg