Labour MEP Alex Agius Saliba has expressed his frustration with the actions of Maltese EPP MEPs Roberta Metsola and David Casa, saying that that while the rest of the European Union is focused on tackling the pandemic, they "are focusing on damaging Malta's reputation."
"At a time where unity is required by all MEPs to focus on the pandemic and other global issues which European Citizens are having to deal with, manoeuvres are ongoing by members of the European People's Party who seek to shift the attention to the ongoing Daphne Caruana Galizia legal case in Malta", Agius Saliba said in a statement.
The statement is in reaction to a call by the EPP - which the PN MEPs form part of - for a debate to be held in the European Parliament over the revelations relating to the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
"This is an unnecessary attack, as the court proceedings are still ongoing in the Maltese Law Courts. The mere fact that these procedures are still ongoing, clearly shows that the institutions in Malta are working and most importantly, they are doing their jobs", the statement continues.
"This is a clear attempt by the EPP Group, pushed forward by its Maltese members, to attempt to damage Malta's reputation once again", Agius Saliba said.
"I have been in contact with the leadership of the S&D Group who have all understood that this a vile and useless attack on the Maltese Government", Agius Saliba commented as the S&D Group were informed about the true intentions of this proposed resolution.
Agius Saliba stated that at a time where German Conservative Ministers belonging to the EPP Group have proven to be involved in corruption scandals, Manfred Weber backed by Metsola and Casa are seeking to divert Europe's attention by once again opening fire on Malta.
"I will continue to defend Malta's interests with full force against this attack being pushed forward by Nationalist MEPs", concluded Agius Saliba.
He was not the only PL MEP to speak out. Daphne Caruana Galizia's court case should not be mixed with political debate in European Parliament, MEP Cyrus Engerer has urged.
"Politicians should not intervene in court proceedings", Engerer said. Engerer believes that discussing the case in the EU parliament will have a negative effect on the unfolding of the case in court. "The testimony of Vince Muscat is not completed yet, so what good will it do if we have a debate about half a testimony?" Engerer questioned. "All the truth needs to come out. Leave the court to do its work". He also said that this initiative is being taking by the PN in a bid to get more votes in the upcoming general election.
"The PN are doing this simply for the sake of the general election," he said. "This is a difficult time for the country with the pandemic and Bernard Grech is thinking 'Covid-19 needs to finish so that we can go vote'".
While Engerer believes there shouldn't be a debate, he said that the PN has the backing of most of the EU on their side, which will enable them to hold this debate, and any other debates they wish. "They have allegiances with other parties, so if they want to hold a debate then it can go ahead", he said.
"If you want a debate on the right of law, let's have a debate on the right of law", he said. He hopes that the debate won't "tear down" Malta's democratic reputation. Malta is "a democratic country that has good governance and has only gotten stronger with the passage of time", he said.
In a tweet, PN MEP David Casa fired back, saying "our job is to defend the reputation of our country, not the mafia that runs it. Our duty is to speak up for honest Maltese citizens, fearlessly and without compromise. You should try it sometime"