The Speaker of the House of Representatives has told MP Chis Cardona that House rules do not provide for a remedy on matters that do not happen inside the chamber.

Self-suspended minister Chris Cardona has asked for protection after fears that there had been an attempt to pin the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia on him.

In a letter sent to Speaker Anglu Farrugia on Saturday morning, Cardona asked that “all necessary steps” be taken to protect him and his constitutional function as an MP.

The letter comes after a Times of Malta report on how the Cabinet had raised concerns that Keith Schembri, the Prime Minister’s former Chief of Staff, had conspired with Yorgen Fenech in an attempt to frame Cardona for Caruana Galizia’s murder.

Schembri has denied that he was involved in such a frame-up, but no statement has been issued to deny the report.

This was in fact noted by Cardona in his letter, where he also said that any attempt to prejudice and attack a MP’s constitutional function requires “strong and effective action” including from parliament itself.

Cardona, who suspended himself from his post of Economy Minister last Tuesday, was briefly questioned by police last Saturday in relation to the murder.  At least one member of his staff was also questioned.

Cardona's letter

In his reply, the Speaker said that he had taken note of the MP's request, but he said he can only take action on matters that take place in the House and what is said there.

He said that he understood Cardona's preoccupation but he could offer him no remedy according to House rules.

Speaker's reply