Prime Minister Joseph Muscat this evening challenged the PN leader Adrian Delia to approach the courts and request an inquiry into the allegations that Daphne Caruana Galizia made about him and the people around him.

Speaking in Parliament in what was supposed to have been his reaction to the Opposition Leader’s reply to the budget, Muscat said Delia had been quick to drop the libels against Caruana Galizia after she was killed.

"The truth is, Daphne Caruana Galizia testified in court over the allegations about me and my family, but we will never hear her testify on the allegations surrounding you."

Muscat said he was very consistent and would not go to Parliament pretending that he liked Caruana Galizia. "She was consistent in her inconsistencies."

Simon Busuttil could be heard telling him to show some respect. "The truth is she sometimes came up with really good, well-researched articles, and other blogs which are complete gossip. She alternated between a perfect analysis and jumping to conclusions, simply based on rumors."

"She criticized both me and Adrian Delia. But she has been attacking me for the past 20 years. I spoke to her four times. The first time she called me for the address to file a libel suit. The second time was when someone set her front door on fire. I was her favorite target. It started when I was a journalist and increased when I became Prime Minister. She wrote about my lifestyle, and with me, my wife and my children. Never, however, in these last 20 years, have I gone in public to attack her."

He said that he had always remained calm, even when he was personally attacked. "I never felt the need to hysterically attack her. My family and I got used to live in the world she created. Everytime we went into a restaurant we assumed someone was taking pictures of us."

Muscat said that he would be a hypocrite to come in parliament without saying these things. "Despite all this, there is not one single cell in my body that is not sad for what happened to her."

He referred to the pending libels. "Caruana Galizia testified about me once, twice. But what she had to say about the Leader of the Opposition will never come out. When Daphne made serious allegations against me, I asked the court to investigate. And I have always said that if there was even minimal doubt that what was said was true, I would resign."

"Delia has no other option but to ask the courts to investigate and if anything she said was true, he should resign.

The Opposition Leader has a huge problem because of what he said about Daphne Caruana Galizia and because of what she said about him. I am being as truthful as possible, struggling to communicate my sadness and anger. What we saw these last two days is not the Malta I dream of. We can be much better than this."

He said the latest threats she has spoken of had nothing to do with the government. In fact they were linked to the people around the Leader of the Opposition. “Don't ask me what I could have done to protect her. I am asking you!"

Muscat said he had wanted to speak about the fruit of the government's investment in the economy. He had wanted to speak about the record increase in employment and the unprecedented financial stability of the country. The PM said he was had been looking forward to speak about a budget with no new taxes. "How ironic that we worked so hard to achieve these results but I feel I cannot speak about any of this because of the circumstances we find ourselves in.”

"There were those who suggested that I deliver a normal budget speech. But everyone has to recognize the impact of these last few days." Muscat said the government had no interest in running away from the situation.

"This is a sad moment in our history and I want to speak on what happened to Daphne Caruana Galizia. The public want their leaders to speak."

He lashed out at the Opposition for trying to divide, not unite the country. "I intend to do the exact opposite. I will try my best to help in unity and show you how much I believe in our institutions."

Some members of the Opposition could not help but boo in disapproval.

Muscat said that he cannot be a hypocrite and pretend that the person who just died was not a harsh critic of his. However, he said that compassion is an essential part of life. "Freedom of speech was the primary target of this recent attack. The value of saying whatever you want while at the same time having the possibility of seeking remedy through the institutions."

Joseph Muscat mentioned measures which the government introduced to improve this freedom, including the changes in the criminal libel and vilification of religion. "I am the first person to believe in this right," he added.

He said that when he was Leader of the Opposition he critisized the government of the time, but never attacked the institutions. He said that the Opposition started an unprecedented attack on the Police Force. "This is the same force which managed to make one of the largest drug busts in Maltese history."

Muscat mentioned the 'attack' on the AFM and on the Attorney General. "They want to have Peter Grech removed when it was the PN government who appointed him."

This evening's session was riddled with interruptions from members of the Opposition, including Simon Busuttil and Marlene Farrugia.

Muscat said that he trusts Magistrate Anthony Vella to do his job in leading the inquiry regarding Daphne Caruana Galizia's case.

On the blogger's death, Muscat said that one has to be very responsible and not point fingers. "Delia is referring to it as a political murder. How can he say that? Isn't it premature to say so? This is no new way. This is a very old way."

"This murder might have been caused by those who were irritated by what Daphne was going to publish in the near future. And this is why I want to know the whole truth and the case to be solved. Maybe even get to know what she was working on."

He reiterated the idea to set up a reward, if necessary, to those who would be willing to come forward with any information. "The reward will be substantial and the person who will come forward will be protected within the limitations of the law."

 

"I am sad, but full of courage. I am tired, but I will not give up. We have a lot more coming up and we're looking forward to implement it."