Former PN MP and failed PL candidate Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando yesterday issued a statement after having, a day earlier, called for police action against PN MEP David Casa, who says he is in possession of leaked FIAU reports. We thought we’d reply to that statement, paragraph by paragraph.
JPO: “I would like to reiterate that any allegations of corruption should be thoroughly investigated in a democratic country.”
If that is the case then JPO should openly, and with the same prominence, call for a police investigation into Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri.
JPO: “Casa is teasing his audience with allegations which have not been substantiated.”
They have not been substantiated only because have yet to launch a criminal investigation despite the Chief Justice telling them that they do not need to have concrete proof to do so.
JPO: “Casa’s behaviour in this, and other, instances is being widely regarded as an attempt at destabilising our democratically elected government by using his influence at a European level.
This is the same kind of rhetoric used ad nauseam by the PL when it finds itself in a tight corner. It is also in line with the rhetoric used by a former l-orizzont editor (who now works at Castille) against independent journalists for doing their job.
JPO: “The negative effect his shenanigans are having on our country’s institutions is devastating.”
The thing that is truly devastating our reputation and credibility is the PM’s insistence on keeping Mizzi and Schembri by his side.
JPO: “Why hasn’t he passed these documents over to the competent authorities yet?”
Is he serious? The police have been in possession if the reports since 2016, as confirmed recently by the Police Commissioner, but no investigation has been launched, as also confirmed by the police chief.
JPO: “Is Mr Casa aware of the fact that this delay is, in itself, illegal?”
The delay we really care about is the delay by the police to launch an investigation into the damning FIAU reports.
JPO: “It is a criminal offence to be in the possession of such documents. Does Casa consider himself to be above the law?”
In our book, money laundering is a much more serious criminal offence. Besides, practically all independent newspapers, including this one, were in possession of those reports and published extracts, because we felt then, and still do now, that this was in the public interest. Will Pullicino Orlando also call for police action against the entire Maltese press corps?
JPO: “Has Casa verified whether or not the author of this particular document was – as has been claimed - purposely drafting a document which was meant to be leaked?”
This is ridiculous. This was just a comment made in passing by the Finance Minister, without ever justifying it. Besides, there is more than one report that point towards possible criminal behaviour by the Panama duo, as well as other people.
JPO: “If Casa really felt strongly about his loyalty towards his countrymen he would not be acting in a manner which is widely being considered to be the epitome of perfidiousness.”
David Casa has repeatedly stuck his neck out in his attempts to bring justice where justice is due. He has done what the government should have done before him and called for investigations into Pilatus Bank and the Panama scandal. He has also stood up for the press and called for protection against SLAPP suits, something which his political party, the PN, has now tabled in the form of a private members’ bill, and which the government has not yet said it will support.
It would also be good to hear JPO’s opinion on the matter, especially as someone who was once accredited as a journalist by the DOI.
JPO: “Casa, as a senior politician, is not expected to behave like a tabloid journalist.”
On the other hand JPO should show some respect to the people under his responsibility at MCST and refrain from being an all-out Labour mouthpiece.