The firestorm surrounding Joe Cassar since last Sunday had its ultimate explosion today.

Former minister Joe Cassar tendered his resignation as a Member of Parliament having resigned from being the Opposition spokesman on Culture on Sunday.

After coming under fire ever since media revelations on Sunday showing Dr Cassar’s close relations with Joe Gaffarena, PN issued three letters, including the letter of resignation Dr Cassar sent to Speaker Anglu Farrugia.

Dr Cassar had already resigned from his role of Opposition spokesperson for culture after reports emerged that controversial businessman Joe Gaffarena paid around €8,000 for works carried out at his Dingli home. Dr Cassar denies the allegations.

Earlier reports revealed how Mr Gaffarena had agreed to sell Dr Cassar a car for €1,000 but then refused the money and told the former MP to donate the money to the PN instead.

Allegedly, the psychiatrist also had a CCTV camera installed by Joe Gaffarena.

In the second letter, sent by Dr Cassar to PN Leader Simon Busuttil the former minister said he had resigned from Parliament after what he described as a “ferocious attack on my character” and because of the pressure placed on his family, which he said he would not accept.

Dr Cassar said he did not want to be included in this kind of politics and insisted he had entered into politics to help people.

Dr Cassar categorically denied that he had done anything wrong or illegal but said he had taken this measure in order not to tarnish the reputation of the Nationalist Party and its leader.

He said that although he was exiting from political life he would still be defending his name against the accusations levelled against him and would use all legal instruments available to him to do so.

Dr Cassar thanked all those who helped him throughout his political career, especially during the past few days. He pleaded for people to respect his and his family’s privacy.

In the third letter, PN Leader Simon Busuttil said he had accepted Dr Cassar’s resignation with a heavy heart but understood and respected his decision. Dr Busuttil said he recognised that this was a difficult moment for the former minister and thanked him for all he had done throughout his political career.

The previous day the PL criticised Dr Busuttil for not dismissing Joe Cassar from the Nationalist Party. Addressing a press conference in the evening, Dr Busuttil replied that since there were no allegations of illegalities or misuse of public funds against Dr Cassar, there was no reason to sack him from the party. He insisted, however, that he would not hesitate to take further action if new developments that warranted stricter action unfolded. 

Sources explained that Dr Cassar holds no roles within the PN, having already resigned as culture spokesperson. It is understood that his only relationship with the party now is as a registered member (tesserat).

Ball is in Prime Minister's court - PN

In a subsequent statement the PN said the ball was now in Joseph Muscat’s court. “Once again, the PN is setting political standards. The PN thanks Dr Joe Cassar for his service to the country and for the way he created new standards in politics with his decision (to resign).”

The PN said that it had taken action in a matter of days. On the other hand Prime Minister Joseph Muscat had been dragging his feet and for months to take action against Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon. “It is clear that Joseph Muscat is not capable of taking decisions on the scandals rocking the Labour government.”

It said people were today seeing the clear difference between the two political leaders: an Opposition Leader who practiced what he preached and raised standards and a Prime Minister who lowered standards and failed to take action. 

Busuttil 'weak' - PL

On the other hand the PL said Dr Cassar’s resignation confirmed that Dr Busuttil was weak and did not take the obvious decision. Simon Busuttil first said Joe Cassar was a person of integrity, then played with the former minister’s resignation from spokesperson, then said that Dr Cassar had done nothing wrong and now had to face a resignation from Parliament.

“Simon Busuttil is still defending Joe Cassar, who had accepted gifts from Gaffarena and said he accepted the decision with a heavy heart. This is yet another case that shows how Simon Busuttil defends even flagrant breaches of the code of ethics from those close to him.”

It said Busuttil’s worst error of judgement was to retain the same old people around him and failing to change the PN’s politics of the past. The party also asked what action would be taken against Claudio Grech, Giovanna Debono and Toni Bezzina.

“This is only the tip of the iceberg when one looks at the people around Busuttil.”

Alternattiva: the only honourable way out

With reference to Dr. Joseph Cassar's resignation from his post as Member of Parliament, the chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika, Prof. Arnold Cassola, said: "Dr Cassar took the only possible honourable way out.  He did well to stop trying to justify himself in what was definitely totally unacceptable behaviour when he accepted payment by others for works in his house which amount to nearly €8,000. 

“We are often getting stories about Maltese politicians from both parties in Parliament who were or are still involved  in deals with certain big business people whose philosophy is "make hay while the sun shines" and who, in fact, are ending up influencing political decisions, even of national importance. The time has come for a real clean up in Maltese politics."