Robert Abela’s government is a tool in the hands of criminals and a threat to the Maltese public’s security, said the Nationalist Party in a statement on Thursday, following the news of the re-arrest of convicted bank robber Darren Debono, known as ‘it-Topo’ this afternoon.

Debono refused to give his full testimony regarding the 2010 HSBC heist, saying that he would only testify against Vincent Muscat ‘il-Koħħu’, for fear of his family’s lives.

“What happened in court today is grave, and is something that the PN has long warned about in the recent weeks,” said the party, adding that Attorney General Victoria Buttigieg has failed to provide an explanation over her decision to remove the attempted murder on police officers charge against Debono, which has angered members of the police force.

The PN accused Minister for Justice Edward Zammit Lewis for failing to publicly announce his position on the AG’s behaviour, which consequently makes him an accomplice with Abela in protecting Minister Carmelo Abela and former Minister Chris Cardona, both of which were alleged by Muscat to have been involved in the case.

Both Cardona and Carmelo Abela vehemently deny having been involved in the botched heist.

“Under Abela and Zammit Lewis, criminals are reassured that if caught, they will be given a plea deal of their choosing with the intervention of the AG,” the PN said.

The party maintained that Zammit Lewis’ and Buttigieg’s positions are no longer tenable and should therefore resign immediately.