Updated with more details, Simon Busuttil press conference and PL statement

Opposition MPs walked out of parliament this evening after the Speaker ruled that opposition leader Simon Busuttil was, prima facie, in breach of privilege.

They walked out following comments made by deputy opposition leader Mario de Marco, which were met by shouting from the government benches.

The breach of privilege complaint against Dr Busuttil was made yesterday by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, in response to allegations that he had interfered in the Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit’s decision not to arraign former EU Commissioner John Dalli.

Dr Muscat had asked Dr Busuttil to either substantiate his claims or withdraw them, but the opposition leader stuck to his guns.

Dr Farrugia noted that one had to be very cautious before deciding whether a comment constituted breach of privilege, since freedom of expression was fundamental to a democracy.

But he ultimately ruled that prima facie, Dr Busuttil appeared to be in breach of privilege, and referred the matter to parliament’s Privileges Committee.

According to parliamentary procedure, MPs are not to comment on the Speaker’s ruling, but Dr Farrugia nevertheless granted Dr de Marco the chance to speak.

Dr de Marco started by pointing out that one must be careful to observe MPs’ right to express themselves, as well as to draw their own political conclusions.

But his remarks quickly led to shouting in the government benches, particularly from Minister Joe Mizzi, who loudly accused Dr de Marco of “abusing of democracy,” which prompted a stern rebuke from Dr Farrugia, who clarified that the ruling itself should not be commented on.

Dr de Marco then continued by stating that it would be shameful to see an MP – or a party – taking offence at a colleague drawing a political conclusion, and to attempt to silence him to prevent him from making their point.

This led to renewed uproar, which prompted the opposition MPs to walk out. In reaction, Mr Mizzi once more accused the opposition of abusing democracy, and insisted that spoiled children acted in this way.

The speaker’s ruling and the ensuing controversy took up much of question time, and the walk-out meant that any questions by Opposition MPs were skipped since no one was there to ask them.

Foreign Minister George Vella, who had to reply to the first parliamentary question of the day, sarcastically commented on the PN’s “new leadership” before answering.

Busuttil - Opposition being muzzled

In a press conference soon after, Dr Busuttil claimed that the government was trying to muzzle it, and was riding roughshod over its right to freedom of expression. 

Dr Busuttil insisted that he has the right to arrive to his own political conclusions. 

He claimed that the Prime Minister had used a standing order to silence the Opposition.

PL statement

For its part, the Labour Party said Dr Busuttil was continuing to isolate himself and the party. First he made a statement without sustaining allegations made, and when cornered, he made a move which not all Nationalist MPs were in agreement with, the PL said.