The office of the Leader of the Opposition yesterday published a letter sent by Dr Sant to the Speaker of the House Anton Tabone:

“Thank you for your letter dated 10 July in reply to the letter I sent you the day before, on 9 July, regarding the unacceptable behaviour of Hon. Jesmond Mugliett on Monday 2 July. On that day, he (Mr Mugliett) had made a statement in Parliament regarding a decision taken by the ADT, which was, according to him, taken ‘collectively’. In the following days, it was revealed that what he had stated was false. In my letter, I had asked what action you were going to take against this behaviour, which had been carried out in your presence.

“You have replied that it is not the duty of the Speaker to pass judgment before a request for a ruling by way of a motion is made in Parliament.

“With all due respect, what you have said is in conflict with Standing Order 63, which clearly describes the action that can be taken by the Speaker in the case of ‘disorderly conduct’ in Parliament. When a member of Parliament lies blatantly in the House, this is tantamount to ‘highly disorderly conduct’, and it is your responsibility to be the first one to take action.

“If you do not take action, it would become the duty of other members of the House to take action themselves, and this by passing a motion in Parliament. But a motion in this case, regarding a breach of privilege, can only be raised in the first Parliamentary session that is held after such behaviour has taken place. Therefore, the deadline for a reply from your end to my letter dated 9 July, should have been evident to everybody.

“In our endeavours to ensure that Parliament is safeguarded from any action which may undermine the respect it is due, two weights and two measures should never be used.

“I will be requesting that this letter also be placed on the Table of the House.”