Piling the pressure further on Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett, Opposition Leader Alfred Sant wrote a letter yesterday to point out to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Anton Tabone, that one of the main duties of the Speaker’s office was to take action against Members of Parliament who undermined Parliament’s respect.

“I would therefore be grateful to you if you were to inform me, as soon as possible, what steps you intend to take against Minister Mugliett, as an MP, after his unacceptable behaviour,” Dr Sant wrote.

The letter was released to the media by the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.

Dr Sant is accusing Mr Mugliett of lying to parliament in connection with a decision within the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) to retain in employment two employees who had been found guilty of bribery.

The issue has been dragging for some time and Mr Mugliett, who is said to have influenced the ADT decision, offered his resignation to the Prime Minister, who did not accept it.

In his letter, Dr Sant drew the Speaker’s attention to the reply given by Mr Mugliett in parliament on 2 July to a question put to him by Dr Sant.

Dr Sant wrote that he had asked Mr Mugliett about his involvement in the ADT decision to retain the convicted employees in employment.

“The minister declared that the decision was taken collectively,” Dr Sant wrote.

He added that the executive head of the ADT had already stated that the same decision was conveyed to him by Mr Mugliett and that the decision was implemented, although the head did not agree with it.

Last Friday, 6 July, Dr Sant added in his letter, the chairman of the ADT had a letter published in The Times declaring that he and his colleagues on the ADT board had nothing to do with the decision taken and they did not agree with it.

“Minister Mugliett lied to parliament last Monday (2 July) in the clearest manner,” Dr Sant wrote to the Speaker.

In every parliamentary democracy, he added, such behaviour is not tolerated. For a government minister to lie barefacedly to parliament amounts not only to disrespect of parliament but is an affront to democracy.

Pointing out the Speaker’s duties as laid down by the Speaker’s Office, Dr Sant asked to be told what action the Speaker intended to take vis-à-vis Mr Mugliett.