Speaker Anglu Farrugia found no breach of privilege in the issue brought up by PN MP Marthese Portelli against Minister Joe Mizzi, but rather called it ‘political bickering’.

 The PN Shadow Minister for Energy, Environment and Transport Marthese Portelli yesterday filed a case of breach of privilege against Transport Minister Joe Mizzi after the latter refused to withdraw allegations made against her in Parliament. Read here.

Mr Mizzi had at one point told her to "shut your mouth," claiming that she got paid for meetings she did not attend. "You are not one to talk," he said.

He was referring to a 2013 report which claimed that Dr Portelli was given Gozo travel allowance when she was a director at Wasteserv despite not attending most of the board meetings. Environment Minister Leo Brincat had later clarified that her travelling allowance was unrelated to her Gozitan residency. She had also claimed that it was not conditional on attendance of board meetings.

Dr Portelli raised a point of order, telling the speaker that Mr Mizzi had made a false allegation. She asked him to substantiate his allegation or else withdraw it. Mr Mizzi insisted that she had been paid for a number of meetings she had not attended.

Marthese Portelli insisted that the information was incorrect and noted that Mr Mizzi's cabinet colleague, Leo Brincat, had given an altogether different version. "I will not withdraw anything. If you are woman enough you should bring us the proof to substantiate your denial," Mr Mizzi insisted.

In this regard, the Speaker said that Minister Brincat in his statement had not said anything regarding the MPs attendance, but rather mentioned her benefits and allowances when she held that post.