Prime Minister Robert Abela is blaming the “establishment” for the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, saying that on 8 June people will have to decide whether they are in favour or against such “punishments” inflicted on people of integrity like the former health minister.

Speaking in Santa Venera, Abela heaped praise on Fearne, who resigned this afternoon and rejected the Prime Minister’s request to reconsider his position.

He said that he has worked closely with Fearne since 2020 when he became Prime Minister (Abela did not mention that the two of them had had a fierce battle for the Labour Party leadership). It was soon afterwards that the Covid-19 pandemic broke and, in those weeks and months of uncertainty, Fearne was instrumental in the way the country survived those difficult times.

The country today has lost a person of integrity, Abela said, and this happened because of a magisterial inquiry which should have lasted 60 days but instead took more than four years to conclude. Abela again questioned the timing – but not the content – of the magisterial inquiry’s conclusion, which coincided with the day when the call for applications for nominations for the coming elections opened.

He blamed the establishment – without mentioning anyone by name or making specific references – for the country’s loss. The elections will provide a chance for the people to say whether they allow the “establishment” to punish people like Fearne.

Abela again said that he will continue to defend all those who worked for the State with loyalty.