Prime Minister Robert Abela has decried the Nationalist Party leader Bernard Grech, calling him “cheap” for his “shameful” filing of a “false” criminal complaint against the highest members of government.

Abela said that these kinds of “low” political tactics discourage anyone from wanting to participate in public life, especially the youth who wants to better the country In the future.

“This is a matter that what the Opposition Leader did has a certain degree of seriousness because he didn’t get onto a stage and say what he needed to say.  This is a measure contemplated in our Criminal Code and he is trying to use the country’s institutions for his political aims,” Abela said.

Asked whether he was contacted by the police commissioner Angelo Gafa, the Prime Minister did not give a definite answer but said that he, as Prime Minister, was not going to tell the police how to do their job.

Abela took the opportunity to reiterate that the government has defeated an International Chamber of Commerce Emergency Arbitration procedure brought forward by (1) Steward Malta Limited; (2) Steward Malta Management Limited; and (3) Steward Malta Assets Limited (collectively “Steward”). 

He further reiterated that he wasn’t a member of Cabinet or even an MP when the Vitals deal was signed, and that he was open to any investigation and that he has nothing to hide.

Opposition Leader Bernard Grech and PN MP Adrian Delia presented an official complaint for the police to investigate all the details that emerged in court in connection with the hospitals case after the concession was annulled by a court some months ago.

In February, a court ruled that a deal to transfer three public hospitals to the private sector was “fraudulent” and ordered their return to public property.

Those subject to the criminal complaint include Prime Minister Abela, Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, Finance Minister Clyde Caruana and a number of officials from previous legislatures, including Joseph Muscat, Chris Cardona, and Edward Scicluna.

In a statement, the government said the Emergency Arbitrator ordered Steward to bear the Government’s costs.

Abela said that he is precluded from giving details of the process.

Asked about ex Xaghra mayor Chrisian Zammit’s recent resignation from the post, the PM said that he does not exclude from him occupying a future position on a national level.

Zammit handed in his resignation from the council and all positions in the Labour Party a couple of weeks ago. In a post on Facebook, he said he was “moving out of the way”.

“I am writing here to avoid any misunderstanding. I have resigned as mayor and councillor in the Xagħra Local Council, and president of the Labour Gozitan Regional Committee. This was a very difficult decision to make, seeing that I have been active in the party and in politics for the last 23 years. However, there comes a time, when, as the Italians say, mi tolgo dai piedi, e tolgo il disturbo,” he wrote.

Abela said Zammit “is a person who is convinced of his ideology of the PL”, adding that he believes that the now former mayor still has a lot to offer the party.