A government ‘that respects court decisions, and does not criticise them’

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela took note of the decision taken by the Court of Appeal regarding the rights of the Ombudsman to investigate complaints by officers in the Armed Forces of Malta.

The case was initially filed over disputes about a number of controversial promotions given out in September 2013, most notably that of Jeffrey Curmi, who obtained four promotions from major to brigadier.

In a press release issued yesterday evening by the Home Affairs Ministry, it said that it is normal for any healthy democracy for people to have different interpretations of the law, which is ultimately decided by the law courts.

The difference is that contrary to the Opposition, the government always respects the decisions of the law courts.

Through the press statement released by the Nationalist Party yesterday, it is disappointing to see that the Opposition is yet again trying to turn a court decision into a political football.

It is also shameful how the Opposition appears to be shocked with the promotions given in the armed forces, which are being contested, when during PN administrations promotions were given without any calls for applications being released, or any form of selection process.

A number of shameful practices were employed in the provision of promotions within the armed forces, with unbridled discrimination for important position that were created on purpose for chosen ones, contrary to Maltese law. In fact, the legitimacy of a number of these promotions have been brought before the courts and are still awaiting decision.