Prime Minister Robert Abela defended Rosianne Cutajar, saying that Cutajar is still a Member of Parliament and has been reprimanded for her actions.

The Prime Minister was asked by journalists about episodes of bad governance during his legislature, to which he responded that there will always be controversial episodes in every legislature.

Abela insisted that he has always been clear following Cutajar’s ethics investigation where she allegedly took €9,000 cut from a €40,000 in cash given to her by Yorgen Fenech as part of a 2019 property deal.

He said that ‘good governance’ reflects more on how one reacts to the poor behaviour displayed by officials, reminding journalists that Cutajar lost her position as parliamentary secretary.

Cutajar has now been appointed the role of president of the parliamentary health committee, just two months after a ‘stern reprimand’ from Parliament, which consisted of nothing more than a letter informing her about a parliamentary committee’s decision against her, Abela insisted that she is still an MP.

He added that the Opposition did not object to the appointment of her new role.

The Opposition initially did not object to the appointment but later said it will not take part in committee meetings presided by Cutajar.

Video: Miguela Xuereb/Newsbook