The Nationalist Party has said that it will not participate in the parliamentary committee which Rosianne Cutajar has been appointed to lead.

Cutajar was appointed as the chair of Parliament’s Health Committee, replacing fellow PL MP Silvio Grixti who resigned from Parliament some weeks ago.  She was appointed through a government motion yesterday, which the Opposition did not object to in the House.

However, the PN has now published a statement saying that “Robert Abela showed blatant disregard of the institutions by appointing Cutajar after she was forced to resign her Cabinet post.”

The party said that there was no agreement between the government and the opposition to appoint Cutajar, saying that the motion was filed by stealth.

Cutajar lost her place in Robert Abela’s Cabinet after the Standards Committee had, on 9 November, adopted the conclusions and recommendations of a report that found Cutajar in breach of ethics. Standards Commissioner George Hyzler had found that Cutajar more likely than not had received a €46,000 brokerage payment, not declaring it.

The Standards Commissioner had looked into the situation after reports had read that Cutajar and one of her political aides – Charles Farrugia - allegedly received around €46,000 each as brokerage fees for the sale of a €3.1 million Mdina property to Yorgen Fenech.

Cutajar was subsequently given a formal reprimand for her shortcomings.

“This shows what to expect if Robert Abela wins the next election,” the PN said.

The PN reiterated its long-stated position that “Rosianne Cutajar - like many of her Labour colleagues – is unfit for public office and should not be promoted to such a role, even if there are only a few weeks left to the general election.”

The PN said it will not be participating in the committee led by Rosianne Cutajar, saying that she is also unqualified for this position.

“The PN will also remain focused on working hard to enact an unprecedented 12 Bills that fight corruption, financial crime and the mafia to help make sure the Labour government does not get away with murder,” the party said.