‘If Busuttil wants to protect Malta’s reputation, he should go to Bidnija’

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat insisted yesterday that if Simon Busuttil really wants to protect Malta’s reputation he should simply head to Bidnija – a clear reference to journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who resides in the locality.

Dr Muscat was replying to questions by journalists following a press conference in Valletta.

The Prime Minister also downplayed comments made by a German regional minister, who described Malta as ‘Panama in Europe’ following a data leak which revealed that there are up to 70,000 offshore companies on the island.

“Attacks on our financial services never really stopped,” Dr Muscat told journalists.

The PM said that the only thing that is different this time is that the attack started from within Malta itself. “I challenge the PN to support our front against the attack on Malta’s financial services after the general election.” He said that even if in opposition, the Labour Party would never have lead an attack against his own country.

Asked what measures he will take to create more stability within the police force, given the fact that over the last four years there have been four different police commissioners, Dr Muscat said that the government will make sure that the police force is not “under attack” by the Opposition.

“There were instances when I did not agree with the police in the past. But I never personally attack the Commissioner,” he said.

Attacks on our financial services never really stopped