The Nationalist Party has filed its motion of no confidence in Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis, it said in a statement.

“Edward Zammit Lewis is not worthy to serve as a government minister after the news emerged that he was conspiring and laughing with Yorgen Fenech over a request by Simon Busuttil for an inquiry into the Dubai company 17 Black and the Panama Papers scandal. It is clear to everyone that Edward Zammit Lewis is incapable of understanding and choosing between what is right and what is wrong, and that is why he is not worthy to occupy his position.”

This, the PN said, was all reflected in a parliamentary motion filed earlier today by Opposition Leader Bernard Grech, PN Whip Robert Cutajar and PN MPs Karol Aquilina and Joseph Ellis.

The PN said that Zammit Lewis was communicating with Yorgen Fenech when he described Labour voters as “ġaħan” (fool) and his fellow ministers as “tfal u pożi”(children and poses), while seeking the backing and approval of Fenech for his actions.

This all happened after it was publicly revealed that Fenech was the owner of 17 Black, the PN said, noting that it was a target client for the Panama companies belonging to former OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri and former Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi.

“Our country deserves that the post of Minister for Justice and Governance be held by a person who has not been associated with individuals about whom there have already been serious allegations and who has not participated in the creation of a culture of impunity that led to the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.”

The PN said that the Prime Minister needs to call for the resignation of the minister and, failing that, removing him as minister.