The family of Daphne Caruana Galizia are more interested in their "repugnance" for the country than finding those who are criminally responsible for the assassination of the journalist, MP Robert Abela said during a fiery adjournment speech in parliament this evening, rubbishing claims made by Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi.
Abela was speaking a day after Azzopardi questioned whether Abela had access certain phone records he should not have had access to after an MEP report a indicated that “a government MP had illegal access to, or was given classified information illegally, and is aware of what certain phone intercepts contain."
During his speech, Abela clarified that he was merely quoting the public statements made by the Malta Security Service and the police six weeks prior.
“In Sven Giegold and Ana Gomes the PN have found two allies who believe anything they say,” he said.
He was steadfast in saying that these were baseless allegations, something which he said was becoming more and more common with the Opposition.
He also expressed his dismay with the spin from Azzopardi that Abela somehow had access to the phone records involved in the case of the assassination and that the Prime Minister was somehow involved.
Abela claimed that Caruana Galizia’s family and Azzopardi, who is appearing as parte civile on behalf of the family in the case, are using their closeness and access to the investigation to further their own political agendas.
“This becomes more and more clear with every statement that is made,” Abela said.
He also said that these continued statements are only further damaging the prosecution’s case.
“Logic would say that the parte civile and the prosecution would work together. The prosecution is working tirelessly to find the truth and the guilty party. It is clear that [Azzopardi’s] interests supercede the true interests of the group he should be representing.”
PN MP Mario Galea took umbrage with the remarks, further criticising Abela for making the claims in a forum where the family could not defend themselves.
Abela also asked whether it was true that Azzopardi may have met with the Magistrate overseeing the inquiry into the assassination outside of the courtroom.
“I am waiting for a clarification from Azzopardi. This is manipulation and pressure on the process.”
Azzopardi's reaction
Reacting, Jason Azzopardi said the Labour MP was willing to do everything so that there would be no justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia and her family. “I am proud to be doing the opposite. No Robert Abela and no Joseph Muscat will stop me,” he wrote in a Facebook post.