In a letter authored by Justice Minister Jonathan Attard and PL Whip Andy Ellul, the PL “categorically denied that we directly or indirectly hampered or in any way obstructed the [Standards for Public Life] Committee from conducting and completing its work.” 

This comes in response to claims by the PN which accused the government of trying to hinder the work of the Parliamentary Committee by continually delaying meetings from taking place. 

The committee has not been convened since November of last year despite repeated requests from members of the Nationalist Party and attempts by the Speaker of the House – who chairs the committee.

“First and foremost, we deplore this partisan attitude of the Opposition members in this committee and categorically deny that we directly or indirectly hampered or in any way obstructed the committee from conducting and completing its work,” the PL statement read. 

“We are confident that parliamentary courtesy demands a more respectful approach than political statements devoid of substance.”

The statement also noted the “contradictory behaviour of the Opposition, which in Parliament opposed a law put forth by the government to provide an anti-deadlock mechanism precisely with the aim that this very important office does not remain vacant due to the capricious attitudes of the PN.”

The statement further brought attention to the fact that the committee and all its members had met on April 19 2023 with representatives of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in order to discuss the proposals that were made and what is being done in this regard by the office of the Commissioner for the Standards in Public Life.

“We reaffirm our commitment to ensure that both the office of the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life and the Parliamentary Committee continue with their work. In this regard, however, it would be good if all communication and proposals for meeting dates and times are coordinated through official means.”

“In light of the deplorable approach of the Opposition members, this letter may also be published to clarify our position as Government members on this committee,” the letter ended.

The letter was published to the media by the Labour Party in a statement.