Justice Minister Owen Bonnici has appealed for calm and prudence, after Wednesday's incidents outside Parliament, where his car was surrounded by protesters who were calling for resignations.

The minister, asked for his reaction to the events, said: "Anyone is free to protest, and I am one who protects the rights of those who want to protest. For someone to bang on the window, kick the car with the aim of breaking a window or something else, that is a line which should not have been crossed. I agree with the Prime Minister when he said that even those people who might not agree with the government on this issue might not have agreed with the methods used. I appeal for calm, prudence."

Asked by The Malta Independent why his car was driven out into an angry crowd, the minister said that the government car came right to Parliament's door so that he could immediately leave without having to go through the protest itself as a precautionary measure. 

"Normally we are collected opposite Parliament, on the corner with the Family Ministry. In order for me not to go there, the police told me that instructions were given for the car to come outside Parliament's door, so that I can simply exit the building, enter the car and leave. Instead of heading in the direction towards Ordnance Street, we were going in the direction of Castille in order for me to be able to leave without interfering with anyone, but there were those who thought they should surround me and Parliamentary Secretary Aaron Farrugia. One can, by all means, protest. I always defend the right for people to protest. But for one to bang their hands on the glass, kick the car, and even try to cause a puncture... I don't think anyone in the country agrees that what happened was acceptable." 

Earlier today, the minister also commented about the situation on Facebook.