AD chairman Harry Vassallo has called the attack by Andrew Calleja, chairman of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, on Carmel Cacopardo as an attack on freedom of speech and blunt political discrimination.

Mr Cacopardo is waiting to be re-appointed investigative officer in MEPA’s audit office.

Dr Vassallo said that in Cacopardo's own words, this attack was similar to the one the same Cacopardo had suffered when he worked in the Ministry for Public Works under the then Minister Lorry Sant. On the other hand, the fact that other MEPA officials participate in meetings organised by the PN, and even in its campaigning, seemed not to bother at all Mr Calleja.

Ralph Cassar, AD spokesperson for the environment and energy called for a major reform at MEPA, including the need to give the MEPA Auditor total autonomy from the politically appointed MEPA board. Cassar also called for MEPA to be split into two separate authorities, one for planning, and the other for environmental protection; two authorities directly under the supervision of parliament.

Dr Vassallo said: "Among the proposals discussed during the meeting organized by AD and chaired by Mr Cacopardo, there was a proposal to call for more scrutiny on MEPA by having the Audit Office appointed directly by the Ombudsman’s office. The Audit Office would be an administrative part of the Ombudsman’s office. Only in this way would its autonomy from MEPA be safeguarded."