ADPD - The Green Party insisted Saturday that the decision taken by the parliamentary committee about ex-Minister Clayton Bartolo and Mrs Amanda Muscat is nothing short of scandalous.  

ADPD PRO Brian Decelis said that if Minister Camilleri does not resign of his own free will, it is the responsibility of the Prime Minister to have him removed from his position.  If this does not happen, it becomes clear what is more important to the Prime Minister when having to choose between rectitude and ethical politics, and loyalty to the people around him.  ADPD pointed out that it was Minister Camilleri who accepted Amanda Muscat as an employee in his ministry whilst she continued to work as a personal assistant of the ex-Minister for Tourism, and getting paid for consultancy work that she neither conducted nor was qualified to do.  This clearly shows that Minister Clint Camilleri is complicit.

Decelis also said that the issues regarding Clayton Bartolo and Amanda Muscat cannot stop here, further steps must be taken.  The steps taken by the Standards Committee are the minimum.  The abuse of power cannot be treated superficially and taken simply as a misunderstanding.  It must be treated as a crime.  A few days ago, we saw the resignation of Clayton Bartolo from Minister and his expulsion from the Labour parliamentary group.  This was a very important step; however, it is only the first step towards justice.  Decelis insisted that Minister Camilleri must also take responsibility for his actions and resign immediately.  Decelis also asked for the Prime Minister to stop defending his ministers, whether they are being investigated for criminal accusations or breach of ethical behaviour.  

ADPD - The Green Party Secretary General, Ralph Cassar, asked the Police Commissioner to do the job he was appointed for and initiate criminal proceedings against Amanda Muscat, Clayton Bartolo, and Clint Camilleri. They should be charged for criminal association as well as for other crimes, such as fraud.  Is there the need for a complaint to be raised by the NGO Repubblika for the Commissioner to do his job? They have practically shown him how to do his job.  Is the Commissioner ready to do his duty, or is he going to remain the defender of those who defraud the people?  This is another case in which the Commissioner appears to be spineless with those in power and a bully to those who steal a tin of tuna because they are hungry. 

"Partisan games need to be stopped," said Cassar whilst reflecting on how over the past week the two major parties pointed fingers at each other on the abuse of power conducted by representatives from both sides of the House.  This recent case once again proves that ADPD was right when they said that there is the need for constitutional change for the necessary checks and balances before the abuse happens, and highlights the need for the Maltese Parliament to be open to more voices than those that hail from the two parties that have allowed the system to deteriorate for decades.