Environment Minister Jose Herrera and Equality Minister Edward Zammit Lewis today said – walking into a Labour parliamentary group meeting – that nobody is above the law.

They were approached by reporters asking questions on their position with regard to OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri and Minister Konrad Mizzi, who are being pressured to resign in the wake of developments following the arrest of 17 Black owner Yorgen Fenech in connection with police investigations into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Zammit Lewis said that the Prime Minister with “hear us out” anf will take a decision.

The important thing is that the rule of law functions, he said.

Herrera said that “like everyone else, I am preoccupied with what is happening. I am monitoring what is taking place and at the opportune time I will speak up.”

He said that the judiciary and the police are doing their work, and “the rule of law signifies that nobody is above the law.”

 

 

In his comments, Home Minister said that the institutions should be allowed to work. The police corps had made great strides forward in this case, against what happened in the past when it had been said that the killers of Raymond Caruana and Karen Grech were known and then nothing had happened.

 

Labour MP Robert Abela said he is not comfortable with the situation. "Nobody is," he said, adding that what he will say what he has to say within the group. "I have a lot to say and I will say it there," he said.

 

Of a similar opinion was parliamentary secretary Aaron Farrugia, who said that the discussion on the situation will be held internally. He said he had full confidence in the Prime Minister and the institutions. "We should let them work," he said, adding that he requested political matturity from everyone.

Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said facts are established by the institutions (not by Jason Azzopardi or Simon Busuttil), adding that the PM is showing impeccable leadership, giving resources to the institutions for them to work with. Asked whether Mizzi and Schembri should resign, Bonnici said that there was belief in the rule of law. "Facts need to be established by the courts," he said.

 

Parliamentary secretary Silvio Parnis said that he has full faith in the Prime Minister.

Parliamentary Secretary Anthony Agius Decelis and Parliamentary Secretary Clint Camilleri told reporters that the institutions should be allowed to work.