Reflecting on the latest tuna corruption scandal, PN MP Simon Busuttil, said that just like in this case, the EU will force Malta to take steps against corruption.

During his adjournment speech in parliament on Monday, Busuttil said that he will not speak in detail about the tuna scandal since there was an ongoing investigation, but just like in this case the government will be forced to take action because of outside pressure.

In the tuna scandal, the government only suspended the head of department because corruption was exposed by the Spanish media.

The same can be applied to the corruption in Castille, Busuttil said, saying that if nothing is going to be done, pressures from abroad will force government to do so. He said that government had stopped local institutions from doing their work but it could not stop the EU. “We are now at a level where pressure is growing from abroad.”

On Tuesday, in fact, Busuttil noted, the European Parliament’s Committee for Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs will be voting on a report about the rule of law in Malta and Slovakia. The resolution was drawn up following the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. Busuttil reiterated that the pressure from the EU will continue to increase until the government will have to take steps against corruption.

He then made reference to three particular conclusions from the report saying they requested the Maltese government to launch an investigation into the Panama Papers revelations and the links between 17Black and Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi, and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, Keith Schembri.

The other conclusions Busuttil mentioned centred around the Venice Commission, with the report concluding that all recommendations need to be actioned without exceptions and also the reiteration for the European Commission to enter a structured dialogue with the government about the rule of law framework.

Busuttil noted that this type of structured dialogue was made with Poland and Hungary, two countries who have big problems with the rule of law. He appealed once again to government to take the necessary steps and “do what I have been telling to do for the past three years.” He continued to add that if the government does not do this “someone will force you to, so there will be justice.”

Instead of the government admitting there are problems, they call whoever talks about corruption, a traitor, Busuttil said. He continued to add that those talking about corruption are actually in favour of Malta and those closing their eyes to corruption are the actual traitors.

He also said that the EU’s institutions are ours to use and it is our right to use these institutions as we form part of the EU, even if we have to use them against our own government. Busuttil also made reference to several MEP’s negative reactions to Justice Minister, Owen Bonnici’s, grilling last week, saying they were all from different parties and were doing so because they believed in what they were saying.

The MEPs were defending our rights more than our government, Busuttil continued, saying the government has no control over these people and so cannot shut their mouths and call them traitors.

Busuttil said that “they left us no choice but to go to the EU to get rights that our government should be giving us. This why the EU is there, to defend our values. It our right, not a betrayal.”

Tuesday’s vote on the resolution may see the report passed on to the plenary which will then take a vote next month. “I hope this resolution is passed as I want the best for our country and for steps to be taken against corruption.”

Referring to PN MEPs, Roberta Metsola, David Casa and Francis Zammit Dimech, Busuttil said “you are true patriots, not our government.” He said that Malta will be in the spotlight if the resolution passes and will remain so until action is taken against Schembri and Mizzi.