Speaker Anglu Farrugia has ruled that the Nationalist Party's leadership and the editor of the NET News portal are in prima facie breach of parliamentary privilege, after failing to correct what he concluded was a false account of remarks made by Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri in parliament.
The ruling centres on a decision issued on 13 November, following a request by Minister Camilleri for clarification on statements released by the Nationalist Party and reporting by NET News regarding his intervention during the 11 November 2025 parliamentary sitting. In that decision, the Speaker ordered the PN to amend its statement and make accurate reference to what Camilleri had actually said while answering a parliamentary question.
A specific passage in the PN statement had claimed that Camilleri had "blamed the Magistrate" and suggested that, as a minister, he should know that the addresses used in police raids are issued as drafts based on police information passed to the Government - as Commissioner Angelo Gafà had "confirmed". The Speaker stated unequivocally that this wording had "in no way" been delivered in parliament.
The ruling also required that the NET portal editor corrects the article that reproduced this claim. The Speaker instructed that the corrections be made "at the first opportunity".
However, more than 48 hours passed without the House receiving any notification in line with Standing Order 62, which would indicate the PN's intention to review the ruling. This was despite the Clerk of the House, acting on the Speaker's instructions, sending an email to the PN's Secretary General informing him of the ruling and requesting confirmation once corrections were made. No confirmation was received, and no amendments were issued.
Given the lack of response, the Speaker quoted from the law which states that the voluntary or negligent publication of a false or distorted report of parliamentary proceedings constitutes a breach of privilege.
On this basis, the Speaker found that a prima facie breach had been committed by the PN Secretary General, or whoever is responsible for issuing the party's statements, as well as the editor of the NET News portal.
The matter has now been referred to the House Committee on Privileges for further consideration.
PL statement
In a statement, the Labour Party said that the Nationalist Party had every right, every chance and every opportunity to contest the Speaker's ruling "about the lie that the PN and its spokespersons, Darren Carabott and Joe Giglio, made on Minister Byron Camilleri last week. But, because they know that they did not have support and because they know that they lied, this ruling was not contested by them."
"However, the arrogance that today defines the Nationalist Party, the same Party chose not to comply with the ruling given by the Speaker of the House, to the extent that this morning he had to give another ruling finding the Nationalist Party guilty of breach of privilege."
The word of the Speaker in these circumstances had to be respected as it was respected at other occasions, including at the request of Nationalist MPs, the PL said.
"When the rules of the highest institution of the country are completely ignored, the PN is sending a clear sign of arrogance. The people should think and reflect on how the Nationalist Party does not respect the institutions from the Opposition so let alone what it would do if it is elected in Government. Above all, it is constantly clear how the Nationalist Party does not respect the Parliament. Sometimes by quitting the Chamber, others by blocking important broadcasts, others by throwing things, other times attacking directly the Speaker and today they are ignoring the rules of the House. The Nationalist Party is dangerous to democracy if it is entrusted with power, because its policy is based on personal attacks and lies and not on substance and proposals."