AD chairman Harry Vassallo yesterday filed a request at the Hamrun police station for the police to start criminal proceedings against PN officials for their personal attacks on AD European Parliament candidate Arnold Cassola.

Dr Vassallo filed the request against PN secretary-general Joe Saliba, In-Nazzjon acting editor Joe Mikallef, Net TV manager Anton Attard, Radio 101 manager Noel Mallia, PN MP Tonio Fenech and PN MEP candidate Simon Busuttil.

Referring to recent speeches by Dr Fenech and Dr Busuttil during the PN’s general conference, Dr Vassallo said the constant attacks on Professor Cassola proved the state of panic the PN was in. He said that Prof. Cassola was being attacked, notwithstanding his commitment, skills and credentials to represent Malta at the European Parliament.

“I challenge PN leader Lawrence Gonzi for a televised debate, even on Net Television, so that he will not keep hiding behind lies and half truths aimed at damaging a party without whose help the EU referendum would not have been won. Once again, the PN is showing how scared it is of Alternattiva Demokratika which was prepared to sacrifice itself in the best interest of the country,” Dr Vassallo said.

Dr Vassallo said it was stupid of people to claim that Prof. Cassola should resign because of differences in opinions. “Following the same argument, Dr Busuttil and his friends should resign from the PN because the European People’s Party, including MEP Poettering, voted in favour of abortion at the European Parliament,” Dr Vassallo stated.

Dr Vassallo requested the police to start proceedings for criminal libel against the PN officials and officials of its media over claims about the AD and Prof. Cassola which the Greens say were aimed at damaging Prof. Cassola’s and the party’s reputation. Meanwhile, in a statement, the PN said AD was in hysterics and wanted six of its officials to be fined and jailed. In the statement, signed by information officer Gordon Pisani, the party stood by its claim that the European Greens, with which AD is affiliated, were in favour of legalising abortion in all EU Member States. As a result, the PN said AD should reconsider its position within the European Green Party and that of Professor Cassola, who is secretary-general of this party. Concluding, Mr Pisani said the European Greens were always extremists in their political beliefs, adding that the AD in Malta was living up to this reputation.