The public was once again given clear proof of a Government that uses Parliament to trample on people's rights and to try to silence any voice that holds it to account, The Nationalist Party has said.

"It is a Government that clearly abuses the majority it holds in Parliament."

"In contrast to Robert Abela, who censors the people and tries to silence anyone who disagrees with the outrages he commits, the Nationalist Opposition gives the people a voice in Parliament."

In comments to the media outside Parliament following the vote on the Government's Motion to censure the a PN MP and on the law concerning Magisterial Inquiries, PN Leader Bernard Grech stated that Robert Abela is confirming just how cornered he feels, "to the point that he is now afraid of the people and is crafting laws to keep them away from the truth about him."

"Because he has something to hide, because he knows that investigations could expose his wrongdoing and that of his associates, Abela went to Parliament and passed a law that goes against every democratic principle. Instead of going to Parliament to strengthen citizens' rights, Robert Abela and his Government go there to rob you of the rights you already have."

"Bernard Grech was speaking after the Government voted in Parliament to prevent citizens from requesting Magisterial Inquiries into people within or close to Government, and to try to stop the PN  from continuing to carry out its duty in Parliament on behalf of the people - a duty that every MP, on both sides of the House, has sworn to fulfil."

On the changes to the law regarding Magisterial Inquiries, the PN voted three times in Parliament, from the very start, to ensure that people retain the right to seek the truth, while Abela's Government voted to strip citizens of that right and to protect itself and corrupt politicians, the PN said.

"Now that this law has passed, the next vote, the general election, should be the moment when the people vote to restore their right to go before a Magistrate and request an investigation into corrupt politicians."

"This evening, the PN walked out of Parliament when the Motion attacking the Opposition was brought to a vote, just as it did when the Motion began to be debated. As a result, the Labour Party ended up voting alone," the party said.

Speaking to journalists outside Parliament, Bernard Grech said that Robert Abela and his associates go to Parliament to "act like bullies towards the people and the Nationalist Opposition, and to attack those who want to use Parliament for the people's benefit, as it should be." He said that the Opposition did not take part in this vote because it believes that Parliament's time should be used to discuss how to improve people's lives, "not wasted on attacking those who hold the Government to account for its wrongdoings."

The PN Leader stated that the PN has never been, and will never be, "complicit with a Government that prefers to protect the corrupt rather than serve the people."

PL statement

The Labour Party, in a statement, said that on Wednesday night a clear difference was witnessed between the Government and the Opposition.

"On one side, the Government voted in favor of: i. Investing in people with the best Budget in history, which, among other things, provided strong increases for families and the biggest tax reduction; ii. A motion condemning disgraceful behaviour towards the Speaker; iii. An amendment to eliminate abuse of judicial tools."

"On the other hand, we saw an Opposition voting against Maltese and Gozitan families. Because they are divided, they were unable to declare their vote on the actions of the true leader of today's Nationalist Opposition," the PL said.

 "Meanwhile, dictated by the extremist faction that placed him as leader, Bernard Grech failed to unite with the Government on an important reform that does not deny any citizen's rights but rather elevates them. Instead, he sided with the faction that did not want to let the country address abuses that unjustly harm people. As they declared, they wanted to continue allowing allegations- even those heard in bars- to be used to destroy individuals."

 "The Labour Party in Government will continue leading with policies of change in favour of the people and against hatred. Above all, policies of investment and well-being for the people, like the recent measures announced by Prime Minister Robert Abela, including support for young people over 25 to become homeowners by assisting with property purchases."