Ministers seem to have agreed what stand to take as journalists waited outside Castille to get their comments on the Cabinet meeting that was held during the day.

Asked about the Konrad Mizzi scandal - and calls for his resignation - they all referred to the vote of confidence that will be taken in Parliament on Monday on a request by the Opposition.

We are all united under one umbrella to see the government through the Opposition's motion, they said as they emerged from Castille.

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis confirmed that MPs had spoken about the Konrad Mizzi issue which, he acknowledged, was important, but also about other important subjects. “As a party and government we always discuss issues that are of interest to the public, such as today’s positive NSO statistics about poverty.”  

He said the Panama issue was important also because it was linked to the financial sector. “I have no doubt that the Prime Minister will be taking the decisions that need to be taken.”

Asked if the MPs had spoken about Konrad Mizzi, Government Whip Godfrey Farrugia said they had spoken about Monday’s no-confidence vote. “I have no doubt that this is a government that the country needs and, for that reason, I will be voting against the (Opposition’s) motion.”

Asked if Konrad Mizzi’s position had become untenable after yesterday’s revelations, Dr Farrugia the Parliamentary Group had a very “open” discussion and now it was up to the Prime Minister to take decisions.

Dr Farrugia said it was not true that the PM was a person who postponed decisions, insisting that Dr Muscat always investigated, consulted, saw what the situation was and, in the end, always took the necessary decisions.

When asked if the MPs had been consulted about Konrad Mizzi’s future after Monday’s motion, he insisted that the discussion was frank but refrained from saying what he had told his fellow MPs. “We reached our conclusions and the PM has his options open.”

He would not say whether anyone had called for Mizzi’s resignation in today’s meeting and said there were many in the Opposition who wanted the Minister to resign. When asked if there were any new PL MPs who wished for the Minister to resign, Dr Farrugia said he did not have opinion polls on this and could not comment.  

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo said the MPs had discussed Monday’s vote. “It will be a united vote in favour of this government. We will vote in favour of this government for all the good work that it is doing.”

“I am proud to form part of this government,” said Mr Bartolo, who earlier this week said he would have taken Alfred Sant’s advice and resigned if he were in Konrad Mizzi’s place.

Asked if he had faith in Konrad Mizzi, Mr Bartolo replied with a question: “Why are you asking me questions which I have already answered?” 

Family Minister Michael Farrugia said MPs were united for the Monday vote. Pressed to comment about Konrad Mizzi specifically, Dr Farrugia insisted that this was a vote of no confidence in the government. “Dr Muscat will continue leading this government. We stand united behind the government.”

The Minister said the decision on Konrad Mizzi was now up to the Prime Minister. “He is the one who decides whether a person should be sacked or not. I am happy with a Labour government and the Labour government will be confirmed on Monday with the majority that it enjoys.”

Asked if the whole Panama story would end with Monday’s vote, Dr Farrugia said he was convinced that the Opposition would not stop there. 

***

Earlier

After spending four days in Jordan and Lebanon, during which time there were more revelations about the Panama Papers scandal involving Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi and OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told journalists this morning that he had nothing more to add to what he has already said.

Dr Muscat was approached by journalists as he walked into his office at Castille ahead of a Cabinet meeting. The meeting’s agenda is not known, but if it follows the parliamentary group meeting that was held last week, the Panama Papers scandal is bound to crop up. Last week, senior ministers had urged the minister to resign as his position was becoming untenable and negatively affecting the government’s work.

New revelations in the Australian media yesterday were brushed aside by Dr Mizzi and Mr Schembri, but the scandal keeps escalating day after day as the Prime Minister is biding his time before making up his mind.

Asked whether a decision will be taken during the Cabinet meeting, Dr Muscat said that he takes decisions when they are needed. Pressed to say whether such a decision will be taken today, he said he had nothing more to add to what he has already said several times.

Dr Muscat said he is taking everything into account, he replied to a question on the latest revelations.

The PM answered questions as he was walking up the steps – he did not stop to face the cameras – and journalists could not continue to ask questions once he stepped inside the building.

We have only one PM in Malta - Zammit Lewis

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said that the PM has also ready spoken about the matter, saying that he is examining the situation. "We have only one Prime Minister, and he is Joseph Muscat who decides."

He would not be drawn to say what was on the Cabinet meeting agenda.

He said his opinion is to leave everything in the PM's hands and said he had full confidence in what the prime minister will decide.

Parliamentary Secretary Deborah Schembri said that it is all in the hands of the Prime Minister. Nobody should be pressuring him to make up his mind. He has always taken decisions at the opportune time, Dr Schembri said.

MP Silvio Parnis said the matter has been discussed at length.