Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil said the Toni Bezzina case is completely different to the Panama Papers scandal, and the two issues cannot be compared..

Nationalist MP Tony Bezzina lost two libel cases he filed against l-orizzont editor Josef Caruana and former PL Deputy Leader Toni Abela, over articles relating to works that occurred at the Zurrieq PN party club by government workers during the last administration.

When asked if the lack of action by the PN against Toni Bezzina results in double standards given that the PN called for the resignations of Minister Konrad Mizzi and the PM’s Chief of staff, Dr Busuttil said that the two situations are nothing alike.

“Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi both opened secret companies in Panama; you can’t compare the two cases. Incidentally, Toni Bezzina appealed the case. What do we expect, not to give Toni Bezzina the chance to appeal? The Prime Minister is appealing the case involving the two Parliamentary seats. Dr Muscat didn’t tell me he would give us the two seats until after the appeal”.

He reiterated the position expressed yesterday that he would wait until the conclusion of the appeal before taking decisions, if any.

Asked if what he plans to do if the second court finds the same as the first, he said: “this is not the first time someone won or lost a libel. How many times has Dr Joseph Muscat resigned for losing a libel, or someone from the PL resigns over losing a libel case. Two weeks ago, I won and lost a libel case against the Orizzont. What should I do, resign as Leader of the Opposition because I lost a libel case? The truth about the case is that the workers in question, made a declaration on the works at the PN party club. That declaration then changed in the PL Headquarters. How did these people change their declaration at the PL headquarters? I will await the appeal and take my decision then.”