Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition Leader Adrian Delia made some heavy statements in Parliament this evening, with the former saying the Opposition risks becoming irrelevant, while the latter stressed that the situation in Malta today is not one where government can continue on as though it is "business as usual."

Opposition Leader Adrian Delia was the first to speak. He said that after the brutal assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, both the government and the opposition agreed that the budget was irrelevant, and that a debate occurred since the issue was of urgent national importance. "For the opposition, what happened will not be buried," he said. "What was of urgent national importance eight days ago, remains so today."

He said that during the debate, the opposition made proposals regarding the need to amend certain laws, the future constitutional convention, and the calls for the removal of the Police Commissioner and the Attorney General. Nothing has happened since, he said.

He asked government, "where is the urgency?" He said that the institutional failures were still there. "It is not business as usual and we will take all the necessary steps, here and outside, so that government take steps in the country's interests."

Directly after Delia's speech, the Prime Minister made a statement of his own. He said that there is a motion before Parliament (referring to the motion presented by Chris Said, although not by name) that government is ready to discuss, while adding that it is also ready to discuss other issues related to the macabre crime.

Turning to the dismissal of the Attorney General and Police Commissioner, the Prime Minister said the law had to be observed, and that there was no legal ground for their removal. 

He stressed that government is committed to bringing about constitutional changes, and mentioned the need for more widespread discussions.

The Prime Minister said government did not say the budget was irrelevant, but had said that he situation was serious. He told the Opposition Leader to get a grip as it wasn't the budget that was irrelevant, but said that the Opposition risks becoming irrelevant.

Minister Farrugia affirms full trust in Deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta

During the Parliamentary Question time, Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia affirmed his full trust and support in Deputy Police Commissioner Silvio Valletta, as well as Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar.

He was responding to a barrage of questions by a number of MPs, including Simon Busuttil, Hermann Schiavone, Glenn Bedingfield and others.

Busuttil questioned the minister as to whether he believed having the husband (referring to Silvio Valletta) of Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana involved in the sensitive investigation into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galiza was appropriate ethically. The PN MP also asked if the minister did not deem it inappropriate that some of Caruana Galiza's biggest targets of criticism should be involved in her murder case.

Farrugia repeatedly spoke about his trust in the whole police force, claiming that anyone who was found to be abusing his or her position would face consequences.  Referring to the case of Ramon Mifsud, who had written comments on Facebook after the brutal murde of Caruana Galiza, he stated that action had been taken there, where the sergeant was suspended and is being dealt with by the Public Service Commission.

Minister Farrugia also condemned the threats that were written on paper airplanes thrown in front of the Police Headquarters during Sunday's Civil Society protest. "I will condemn the threatening words that came from those paper airplanes. To keep his eyes open and that they know where he lives, was not just a threat to him but also to  his family ... It was truly in bad taste" the minister stated.

"If there is someone who abuses their power, we are certainly going to be taking the necessary steps. However until I have any information about anyone abusing their position; I will continue to trust them." Farrugia added that as a labour government, the government will not attack the country's institutions but will work to strengthen them.

The minister claimed that there was no-one more than government who wants the case to be solved as soon as possible, since the opposition was doing its upmost to tarnish the country's reputation around the world. "The opposition is trying to cause more damage because it cannot stand that the country's economy is doing so well" he stated.

During the heated debate, PN Deputy Leader Mario De Marco responded to the Minister accusations, as to when the opposition attempted to damage the country. Leader of the opposition Adrian Delia also defended the party by stating that the party tried to defend the country to international media, and that it was time for everyone to come together and fix it.

PL MP Glenn Bedingfield also spoke in the debate, mentioning the statistics which showed 69% of the general public surveyed trusting the police force.