Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said on Wednesday that Malta’s highest institution is potentially harbouring by criminals and “Prime Minister Robert Abela is treating this as business as usual.”

Grech delivered an impassioned speech during Wednesday’s evening session, slamming the Labour government over its alleged links to organised crime following the developments that emerged in the past week.

“The political history of our country has never experienced this kind of crisis ever before. We have a situation where all Maltese and Gozitan citizens are shocked,” Grech said.

He added that this “country and its people deserve better. I understand the sense of betrayal many are feeling because despite the many years I’ve spent criticising the Labour government for its wrongdoing, even I was shocked.”

“We had a government led by former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and still have a government, now led Prime Minister Robert Abela, who made multiple false promises to this country, who promised the public a bright future, but instead they not only stole millions but also stole Malta’s soul,” Grech remarked.

He added that PM Abela has chosen to treat this situation like it means nothing and noted that he did not even bother to challenge his ministers about the allegations.

Grech briefly mentioned former OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri who was remanded in custody on Saturday evening after he was charged with corruption and money laundering. He that “as a Nationalist party we have always respected the course of justice, thus Schembri is currently innocent until proven guilty, but the government and prime minister have damaged Malta’s reputation and humiliated us all over the world.” 

During his speech, Grech made reference to the recent report involving Tony Debono, the husband of PN MP and former Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, who has been cleared of accusations that he had used public funds to carry out private works.

He said that these people did not deserve to be taken to court, however, today was a clear confirmation that the police had to do better in their investigations in order to avoid people being wrongfully taken to court.

Grech urged President of Malta George Vella “to put some sense into Maltese politics” saying that that George Vella has the respect of the majority of Maltese people in this country.

He also urged the public, including Labour voters to be brave and to move away from the red and blue extremes. “Although you voted for a better life, your own party tricked you so we must give this country another chance.”