The Prime Minister does not agree that the removal or Parliamentary privilege could muzzle MPs in Parliament.
The Prime Minister was asked by The Malta Independent whether his getting rid of Parliamentary privilege could effectively muzzle MPs in the future who would need to speak out against a possible wrongdoing by an MP who would be good at hiding his or her tracks.
“It’s not a question of muzzling, It’s a question of holding a person responsible for their actions. Whoever says something must be ready to carry responsibility for it.”
The Prime Minister was addressing a press conference this morning. Dr Muscat was also asked by this newsroom whether ministers, or the Prime Minister, if taken to court under libel proceedings for slander, should be made to resign until the case concludes.
In response, the Prime Minister said “the question is not simply that if someone says something he should be made to resign. If it is proved then yes, he should go. Throughout this legislature I think I was the Prime Minister who most asked for steps to be taken and removed people from posts. At the end of the day, whoever makes an accusation must be held responsible for that accusation.
He said that a huge lie was made against him and his family. “Now those who rode on that lie don't even want to carry responsibility for it, which is not on.”
Dr Muscat was asked who, if libeled in Parliament, would defend the Prime Minister or a Minister. Would it be the Attorney General, a lawyer employed by the ministry or a private advocate?
He said that, speaking from personal experience, “when I file a libel case against someone, personally I am defended by my personal lawyer.”
During the press conference, the Prime Minister was also asked bout the opening of the opening of the trapping season, and given the EU Court case, whether opening it could be seen as a challenge to the EU Courts. Dr Muscat said that the two would not impinge on each other, and said that government will, once the court takes a decision, stick to the court decision.
As for the lack of women candidates fielded by the PL, Dr Muscat said that the PL always wants more women, "but what is for sure is that we have women of quality." He said that in the coming legislature he would push for gender quotas in the following legislature, so that the amount of women in Parliament could increase.
The Prime Minister was asked about the MEA statement yesterday. At a presentation of a memorandum to the political parties before the upcoming general election, the Malta Employers Association explained yesterday that Malta is 'living in a paradox' since while the elections are occurring at a time of positive economic performance, there are also serious questions concerning the ethics and good governance of the current administration. "Corruption - even if only perceived - is not good for business; Our international reputation will only be secured if we can ensure and demonstrate that our institutions have strong values and ethics,” they said.
Asked for his reaction to the MEA saying that Malta’s reputation is suffering due to the perception of corruption, the Prime Minister said that it is a question which we must work on, "and I think it is everyone’s responsibility. I will not brush off responsibility, but it is also the Opposition’s responsibility who at every opportunity badmouths the country to try and get a political advantage."
“The PN Leader said he would travel the world to clean Malta’s name. I told him he doesn’t need to spend so much money, he would only need to go to Bidnija and clean up Malta’s name from over there.”
Photos and video: Michael Camilleri