Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar slammed former Repubblika President Robert Aquilina in Parliament on Monday, in light of domestic violence allegations.
Robert Aquilina had resigned from the post of Honorary President of Repubblika following reports on Saturday about an alleged domestic violence case. He strongly denies any wrongdoing, and said he took this step to ensure that "no one uses this case to undermine the just cause that Repubblika is fighting for our country."
In an adjournment speech, Cutajar accused Aquilina of hypocrisy, claiming that he had previously used leaked private information to target political figures, herself included.
"You thrived on leaks to bring others down, now you ask for privacy?" she said, referring to Aquilina's statement asking everyone to respect his privacy on the matter.
Cutajar said that the same Aquilina was called by the FCID to testify on the Pilatus Bank inquiry leaks, with the same report also being leaked.
She said that when there was a search due to be carried out at former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's home, Aquilina was there waiting at the door.
Cutajar said that this domestic violence case raises many questions, including why the magistrate refused a request for an arrest warrant for Aquilina, instead summoning him.
She said that the case was considered as there being "severe danger," and in any other circumstance, the alleged perpetrator is arrested.
She also questioned Repubblika's credibility, saying that the same NGO has issued several press releases condemning acts of violence, but failed to issue a statement condemning "their friend Aquilina."
Cutajar said that Aquilina is now playing "the victim card," as he requested in a statement that his privacy is respected, yet he had done anything but.
She appealed for caution on domestic violence cases, especially by the media when a person is at the centre of a controversy, and appealed for the media to confirm allegations before "throwing mud."
Cutajar said that this moment should be one where people reflect on what type of society they want for their children, and thanked the women's lobby for speaking out, as well as appealed to the judiciary to show more empathy and consistency, as a lack of the latter means complicity.
Cutajar said that she is a person who does not wish ill on anyone, despite her and her family being hurt. "I do not wish for what happened to me to happen to someone else, but I refuse to keep quiet when the same mechanisms which were used against me are now being deemed 'cruel.' They were always cruel," Cutajar said.