From Mr J. Azzopardi

Reference is made to your leader “An absent government” (TMIS, 10 June) and in particular to the part concerning the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs Tonio Borg’s interview with Jorg Seissenbergh from Radio Tedesca.

Contrary to what was written, Italy-based Radio Tedesca contacted the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs, requesting that Mr Seisseberg interview Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg on Thursday 7 June. The undersigned explained that as Thursday was a public holiday it was impossible to hold the interview on the day and suggested an alternative. Radio Tedesca asked for the interview to be re-scheduled for Friday 8 June. On Thursday 7 June at 12.31pm, I sent an e-mail to Radio Tedesca confirming that the Deputy Prime Minister was willing to give the interview, without confirming the time due to his tight schedule. I requested a contact number so that I could reach the journalist to confirm the time of the interview. At no time was the interview refused.

On Friday morning, I personally called Mr Seissenberg on his mobile and confirmed the time of the interview, which was done in the early afternoon.

On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg gave interviews to a reporter from the BBC programme Seven Days andElise Vincent of Le Monde. Telephonic interviews were given to Judith Cosby of The European Voice and Rita Fatiguso of Sole 24.

The Deputy Prime Minister was anything but absent.

Joe Azzopardi

Communications Officer

Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs