Labour leader Alfred Sant yesterday blatantly referred to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi as a liar as he made reference to the report that he said was prepared by Dr Gonzi himself way back in 2004, which showed the government’s plan to introduce fees in the health system.

Dr Sant was addressing the crowd that gathered at each of the three stops – Siggiewi, Qormi and Luqa – made by the MLP tour bus yesterday evening.

“Dr Gonzi has been denying this all along, but we’ve proven that he’s a liar,” said Dr Sant, adding, “Those who lie once will lie again and again”. He said there were other indications that showed that Dr Gonzi has been lying.

He said that even though the PN has been denying it, there are plans for Junior Lyceums to be closed down, for example.

“The PN wants to deceive people and this should be condemned in a democracy. How could you fool people in this manner? Would this mean that if the PN is re-elected to government and these fees are introduced, an elderly person waiting to be operated upon would be asked to pay?”

Dr Sant then went on to accuse the Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) of failing to send a journalist to cover the MLP press conference during which the report was issued yesterday morning. “PBS is a web of Nationalist propaganda,” said Dr Sant.

It must be noted that PBS actually sent a cameraman and gave coverage to the press conference anyway in its 8pm bulletin.

The Labour leader said that when the MLP suggested on some form of consensus between the political parties as regards the IT sector, in the best national interest, Prime Minister Gonzi refused. It was at this point that the Labour leader said Dr Gonzi was extremely arrogant (“qziez u kiesah”).

He mentioned a number of areas that had to be strengthened for employment opportunities to be created – the sectors of IT, tourism, financial services, manufacturing, as well as small and medium enterprises.

“The Labour Party cares. Basing our principles on work, protection and dignity, we will work in the best national interest and in the light of corruption, we will adopt a zero tolerance attitude.”