Nationalist Party MP Karol Aquilina is set to be brought before the Parliamentary Privileges Committee after refusing to retract comments he had made towards Prime Minister Robert Abela during a parliamentary session on 25 February, when Abela was delivering a ministerial statement on the 200kg drug theft from AFM premises.

The comments in question are when Aquilina had said that Abela is "friends with criminals" as the Prime Minister was delivering the ministerial statement regarding the 200kg drug theft.

Abela had wanted Aquilina to retract his comments and made a request to the Speaker on the matter. After the request was made, the Chair had said that if Aquilina did not retract his comments, the Chair would be required to make a decision on the matter. Aquilina stood by what he had said.

Speaking in parliament on Thursday, Speaker Anglu Farrugia said that the Chair appreciated that during the 25 February session, even if it is never acceptable, comments may have been made during the heated moments which may not have been said in other circumstances. With that in mind, the Speaker stated that he would be giving Aquilina a final opportunity to retract his comments towards the Prime Minister before a decision is made.

In response to this, Aquilina said that due to the serious nature of the comments, had they been addressed towards him, he would have opened up a libel case to confront whoever said it. He continued that Abela has not done so "because he is afraid of the evidence or witnesses that can be presented in court". The PN MP continued that Abela instead went to the Speaker with a request because "he knows that with you (the Speaker), he will find comfort".

Aquilina added that the Prime Minister "knew what you would decide", as he further remarked that Abela's mind was at ease knowing that the Speaker would decide Aquilina was prima facie guilty in this case.

The PN MP said that he would not retract any of his comments, and continued that he invites the permanent committee for parliamentary privilege to handle the case so that he could begin bringing forward the relevant evidence and witnesses so that the Maltese and Gozitan people would be able to see and judge on the matter.

"This government wants to help criminals and corrupt politicians," Aquilina said.

Speaker Farrugia concluded that since Aquilina refused to retract his comments, Aquilina's case would be referred to the permanent committee for parliamentary privilege.