Embattled OPM Minister Carmelo Abela has ignored questions on whether he has offered his resignation to the Prime Minister after claims linking him to the failed 2010 HSBC heist.

During a stormy Parliamentary sitting, Abela also said he has sought advice over a letter the Degiorgio brothers sent to the EU’s justice commissioner, in which they also implicated him in the failed robbery.

Abela kept insisting that these claims are a “lie fabricated by elements of the Nationalist Party together with criminals."

PN MP David Thake asked Abela whether, in the national interest, he feels his position is still tenable after the latest developments. He also repeatedly asked whether Abela will be suing the Degiorgios for libel.

Replying, Abela said it was good that a Nationalist MP was concerned about the national interest, given the harm that the party had caused the country abroad.

At this point, PL Whip Glenn Bedingfield intervened, offering to provide and “entire list” of such cases.

The Opposition raised a point of order after shouts of “zibel” (filth) and criminals from the government benches.

Speaker Anglu Farrugia insisted that such language used by both sides had to be withdrawn.  

Asked again why he would not sue the Degiorgios for libel, Abela said he has already sued the person making the allegations – PN MP Jason Azzopardi – but the latter did not show up in court today.  

Abela said he would seek whatever advice over the claims, adding that he would have no problem taking whatever action to safeguard his integrity and that of the country.

Thake then asked Abela whether he will be resigning, but the minister did not answer the question.