Glenn Bedingfield’s rant agianst a judge was “uncalled for,” Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has told this newsroom.
Bedingfield, an aide to PM Joseph Muscat, angered the Chamber of Advocates earlier today when he implied, on his controversial blog, that a judge had ruled in favour of the PN in yesterday’s extra seats judgement, because she was a nationalist candidate in the 1992 election.
The lawyers’ chamber this afternoon said the blog was unacceptable and demanded that the PM distance himself from Mr Bedingfield’s writings.
The full comment given by Dr Muscat to The Malta Independent is as follows: “Freedom of speech is a universal freedom for all, however the Prime Minister finds the comment to be uncalled for. We also note his apology following the comment.”
It is unclear where and when Glenn Bedingfield apologised. In another blog this afternoon the prospective PL canditate said he respected the decision handed down by Madam Justice Schembri Orland and the courts. But he also insisted that he had simply stated a fact when he mentioned the judge’s past as a PN candidate and when he “sarcastically” wrote that instead of taking one seat she had given them (the PN) two seats. He said it was not his intention to insult the judge or the judiciary.
Glenn Bedingfield's afternoon blog post. It is unclear where he made the 'apology.'
This newspaper referred the PM to what happened in 2012, when then PL Deputy Leader (now Speaker) Anglu Farrugia had been made to resign after comments he passed on Magistrate Audrey Demicoli. His resignation led to the infamous ‘stabbed in the back’ interview by Dr Farrugia.
Dr Farrugia had accused the Magistrate of being political biased. Dr Muscat had described this behaviour as “unacceptable, out of place and undermining one of the country’s highest institutions.”
Dr Muscat was asked today whether he would apply the same yardstick in the case of Mr Bedingfield. We also asked whether he approved of Mr Bedingfield’s behaviour since his aide is also a prospective PL candidate in the coming election who addressed the delegates in your last general conference, and what action he would be taken.
As can be seen from the full reply reproduced above, these questions were left unanswered.