Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia has issued a ruling denouncing the taking of photos during parliamentary sessions without permission between both parties.

The ruling comes in the wake of PN Whip Robert Cutajar asking the Speaker of the House Anglu Farrugia to investigate whether it is acceptable for MPs to take photos with their mobile phones in Parliament without the permission of both sides, after a photo was published on the Sunday issue of Kullhadd.

Cutajar made two objections in Parliament on Monday, saying that it seems that there is no need for permission from both sides of the House for pictures to be taken.

Farrugia issued a ruling denouncing "the taking of photos using phones, cameras, or any other means if there is no agreement from both sides of parliament or the committee, whatever the case may be."

Farrugia said that "owing to this prohibition and in order to safeguard the decorum of the room and respect towards MPs, photos shouldn't be taken either in Parliament or in committees, so long as MPs are there to fulfil their mandates as Parliamentary Members."

Farrugia concluded by stating that "both parties need to begin discussing, through mature dialogue, the establishment of guidelines regarding this matter, as well as the proper use of tablets and mobile phones in Parliament."

PN Whip Robert Cutajar then raised an objection stating that, in the PN's original request, they specifically asked the speaker of the House to "identify the individuals who took the offending photos."

Farrugia added that "the ruling was handed down and if you have any objections, you are free to appeal it."