PN MP Karol Aquilina has alleged that Prime Minister Robert Abela challenged him to a physical fight outside of Parliament, while Speaker Anglu Farrugia was reading out a ruling on Wednesday.

Aquilina alleged that during the Speaker’s ruling Abela passed a comment to Aquilina, telling him “come outside and I’ll show you”, apparently unprovoked.

Aquilina went on to sarcastically point out how the government’s side apparently turned a deaf ear to the alleged comment.

Aquilina insisted that he may not be as fit as the Prime Minister to fight but irrespective he has no wish to be since he is not interested in fighting but in “thinking and debate.”

He added that should the Prime Minister wish, he may go and “fight with the wall.”

The PN MP’s accusation was faced with uproar from the government side of the bench, leading to the Speaker’s intervention. He questioned why this was not brought up sooner since it is deemed serious.

Aquilina replied that he did not wish to interrupt the Speaker during his ruling.

Labour Party says Prime Minister denies allegations

In a statement, the Labour Party said that Prime Minister Robert Abela “categorically denies the infantile allegations” made by PN MP Karol Aquilina in Parliament.

It referred to Aquilina as the “de facto leader of the PN.”

“It is incredible how the extremist branch that is leading the PN continues excelling in creativity when it comes to lies and calumny. While the Opposition drops to the lowest level, the government remains focused on the peoples’ priorities.”

PN says Prime Minister’s behaviour is ‘typical of a playground bully’

In a statement, the PN said that the Prime Minister was displaying behaviour “typical of a playground bully.”

“Robert Abela and his colleagues seem to believe they are above public scrutiny. They are refusing to publish their asset declarations, which are now over a year overdue, and are now resorting to intimidation. That is exactly what bullies do,” the PN said.

The party alleged that during Aquilina’s address in Wednesday’s parliamentary session, where he insisted that Government Members must be held accountable to the public, Robert Abela reacted like a bully, shouting across the Chamber three times: “Come outside, I’ll show you.”

“This is Robert Abela. This is the man who believes that running the country is akin to a children's game, where the biggest bully wins. Such behaviour is unacceptable, and no Opposition MP will succumb to any provocation from the Prime Minister,” the PN said.

“Our country and the Maltese people deserve a mature Prime Minister, not one who resorts to flexing his muscles whenever he is criticised. If there's anyone who is childish, it is he who acts like a bully in front of others, but then, when confronted, runs off crying and claims it's not true,” it continued.