Speaker Anglu Farrugia has turned down a request by the Opposition to name a hall inside Parliament building after murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Opposition Leader Adrian Delia had written to the Speaker on 3 May – on World Press Freedom Day – but Farrugia informed him on Monday that he was turning down the request, saying that the move could be perceived as eroding the impartiality of the House of Representatives.

Farrugia said he is of the opinion that no part of the building should be named after any person, irrespective of whether these came from the political sphere or any other section of society.

Delia wrote back to Farrugia saying that the Opposition disagreed with the decision. He added that naming a hall after Daphne Caruana Galizia would in no way be seen as a move that could dent the impartiality of Parliament.

“Everyone knows that Daphne Caruana Galizia did not look at faces and spoke about what she believed in. This kind of journalism is important for democracy and should be protected,” Delia said. Parliament cannot remain neutral or silent in the face of such an assassination, he continued, pointing out that the European Parliament had named one of its halls after the journalist.

Delia said the Speaker’s decision reminded him of the attitude of those who want people to forget Daphne’s memory. He urged the Speaker to reconsider.

In his reply, the Speaker reminded Delia that Parliament had unanimously condemned the murder.

Farrugia assured Delia that he has no intention of trying to make people forget the murder or to hinder the investigations in any way. He reiterated, however, that the request was being turned down solely on the basis of upholding neutrality in Parliamentary services.