Opposition Leader Bernard Grech called on Prime Minister Robert Abela to accept Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri’s resignation, following his statement that 200kg of cannabis resin had been stolen from a shipping container being held on AFM property.

In an interview with three media houses, Grech spoke about the statement Camilleri had made on Facebook on Sunday morning, where he wrote that he was informed by the Police Commissioner that drugs from inside the container which was being held on AFM property had been stolen.

Grech said that Camilleri must offer his resignation, and Abela must accept it. Unbeknownst to the Opposition Leader, Camilleri offered his resignation before the event.

“Abela has no other road to take but acknowledge that Camilleri is failing the public, and not only ask for his resignation, but accept it, or he would be failing the Maltese public,” Grech said, adding that government is more concerned about remaining in power and defending his Ministers, than creating a safer country. 

Grech was asked about recent polls showing that the PN remains at a disadvantage compared to Labour, while it continues to “project” itself as an alternative government despite lower trust ratings in Grech himself.

He said that while today’s surveys do continue showing that the PN is the underdog, it will remain tenacious as it believes that the country needs change, and it will need to continue convincing the people.

Grech did say that while the disadvantage is still there, this has certainly improved, and this must be recognised.

“On the trust rating, I say this is not about me. It is about Malta, and we must recognise how much the PN has moved forward. Nothing can stop us from offering solutions. The bread and butter issues are realities people face today, and we are addressing them,” Grech said.

Asked about the party’s finances and the fact that the PN has yet to publish its accounts, Grech said that the PN has done everything which was needed from its part, and he has insisted for these accounts to be completed.

He said it is now the Auditor’s job to continue with the process, adding that the PN is about transparency, recognizing its shortcomings and working to solve them, while Labour has bigger issues which it fails to solve.

“At least we are honest with the public, the PL wants to take them for a ride. We recognise our shortcomings,” Grech said.

Asked if there is the possibility of European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Grech himself contesting on the PN ticket in the next general election, Grech said he could not exclude anything.

He reminded that he was aware of the popularity when he chose for Metsola to speak at the Independence Day meeting last year, and did so to push and promote her.

“A leader is interested in pushing their team forward, so that the whole team grows and advances. Roberta is a member of the PN and will remain part of the equation in the future,” he said.

Asked if there are positive elements in government’s magisterial inquiry reform, Grech spoke of the proposal to allow victims or families of victims of a crime to be updated on the inquiry’s progress.

He continued, however, that the reform removes citizens’ right to request a magisterial inquiry and the PN will continue voting against in Parliament, as well as leading a campaign against it.

Grech said that government has continued to be hard-headed in the face of many other organisations who are against this bill, and if government passes such a bill in Parliament, a PN in government would re-introduce this right for citizens.

He said that this reform allows for the Prime Minister to stop people from going to the Courts to investigate.

Asked about an increasing number of youths supporting Labour rather than the PN, as well as outright refusing the prospect of decriminalising abortion, Grech said he makes a distinction between values and votes, unlike the Prime Minister who tried using the matter for votes.

“On the value of life, we are not ready to make compromises. We are a pro-life party, but we know there are people having abortions, and the PN is interested in them too, so that we understand where we can better help so that they do not reach that point,” Grech said.

He also said that when a woman’s health is at risk, such as potential blindness, for example, it should not resort to abortion, but doctors and experts can work together to help with treatment.

Asked which measures the PN would adopt to improve delays in Court, Grech said that delays have always existed, and will continue to increase as the population increases.

“Government increased the number of magistrates, but not their complement staff, nor where they operate. Experts end up having a lot of work which unfortunately causes delay,” Grech said.

He continued that investment is needed in this regard, as Court delays mean “an eternity” for young children, for example, who might not see their parents for a period of time.

Asked on the electorate from the Southern part of the country, who are predominantly Labour, Grech said that while traditionally, the PL has had a stronghold on the South of the country, it does not mean that the PN will not continue to communicate.

He did acknowledge that support has increased both in terms of votes and number of PN councillors.

Asked to respond to accusations that the PN is “shoulder to shoulder” with developers, Grech denied this, and said that the PN works with whomever wants to invest in the country, as they are creating wealth, jobs and opportunities.

He, however, will not accept those who rob the public and take more than they deserve, as the PN believes in a level-playing field.

Grech was asked about the PN’s proposal to remove COLA tax, when the government’s Budget widened the tax bands, essentially rendering it superfluous.

Grech recognised that widening the tax brackets was a positive thing, but he insisted that government cannot steal what is entitled to the people.

“The COLA increase, the calculation is meant for you to address the higher cost of living, yet government takes taxes on it,” Grech said.

He continued that the PN would introduce a national fund for exporters and importers, tax credits for employers and more measures to keep prices stable.

Grech questioned whether the public now, despite the tax-cut measure, is truly living a better life.

Asked about his relationship with the Prime Minister, Grech said that the relationship is bad between them, coming from Abela’s side.

“When I became leader, I put all possibilities on the table, as at the end of the day, it is the Prime Minister of the country who can do something for the public’s benefit,” Grech said.

There were a number of journalists present, and Grech said that he came to their first meeting with a sense of great respect, dialogue, and open-mindedness, even coming with the proposal to carry out a national conference on the country’s population.

“Abela’s response was arrogant, confrontational, he even raised his voice. He came with the intention to show that he is stronger. Politics is not done this way,” Grech said.

He continued that another act the PM has done, and was caught for, was sending a drone which flew low over Grech’s house.

“This was an attack on my family, my privacy. An hour later, journalists were confronting him to explain on his Zejtun house, to which he replied that they should question the Opposition Leader on how he built his home,” Grech said.

He said that in that remark, Abela revealed himself, that he was indeed the one who sent a drone. Abela was also caught trying to find information on Grech’s taxes.

Grech said Abela is an “investigative and scaremongering Prime Minister, as he is weak, and insecure, and wants to show his superiority.”

He continued that there were moments where discussions led to decisions, such as appointing Myriam Spiteri Debono as President, but “evidently, the PM has lost his mind directly attacking PN MPs, Metsola, myself, as he is weak and insecure.”

Asked about the current geopolitical context and Europe’s position, Grech said that Europe was right in taking a position to defend Ukraine and its sovereignty, and Europe must continue being vociferous against existing conflicts, and come round a table for resolve towards peace.

Asked about increasing property prices, Grech said the situation seems to be “running out of hand,” where youths, as well as people re-starting their lives after a separation, for example are finding it impossible to buy their first homes.

He said the PN will continue offering solutions to government to alleviate the publics’ burdens, because it wants a better quality of life for the people.

“We are determined, that with your trust, we move from quantity to quality, and you have a better quality of life,” Grech said.