Opposition Leader Adrian Delia said that irrespective of the many things Daphne Caruana Galizia has said about him, he has always believed in the basic principle of free speech.

He was asked by The Malta Independent about his drastic change in perspective over the journalist he called a 'bicca blogger' over the last few weeks, his praise on her work with regards to the Labour Party and his reluctance to even acknowledge the serious allegations tabled before him by Caruana Galizia. "We might disagree, but I will defend your right to say it. Debates and the courts are were you seek remedies to these things, not by blowing someone up."

Delivering a press conference after his response to the budget in Parliament, he would also deny that he was using rhetoric, insisting that the country and the party was angry and shocked by what happened and were making their voices heard. He insisted that Caruana Galizia's death was a political assassination, as freedom of expression had also been killed.

Delia, who had a large portion of his parliamentary group including Simon Busuttil and Marlene Farrugia seemingly approving of his discourse, lambasted the erosion of institutions such as the police force, armed forces, attorney general's office, and the law courts, as a fundamental contributor to the journalist's murder.

Delia reiterated his call for the immediate resignation or removal of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar, and Attorney General Peter Gatt.

 "These institutions have abdicated from their roles and have left the public exposed."

He said the AG and the Police Commissioner should be removed and replaced by individuals who have been approved by a two-thirds parliamentary majoritty.

When asked regarding the PM's claims on CNN  that Caruana Galizia had refused protection, Delia said that protection is not something that can be offered through invitation, and it was his obligation to protect someone who is in clear danger.

He was also asked whether he was using the journalist's death for political mileage, something which Delia denied insisting that when the country's institutions are eroding and people are killed it was no longer a partisan issue.

Delia also clarified that the PN had faith in the newly appointed Magistrate in the case, Anthony Vella.

Prime Minister does not give any comments

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat left Parliament in a hurry and did not stop to give any comments to the press. He is expected to deliver his response to the budget, and thus is expected to include his response to Delia in Parliament tomorrow. While walking out, a member of the public could be heard yelling "assassin."

Photos and Videos by Mike Camilleri and Baskal Mallia