PN carries responsibility for shortcomings, PL does not – Delia

Opposition leader Adrian Delia took aim at the Labour government when asked about his leadership of the Nationalist Party, given the recent news surrounding the party’s treasurer and other political bumps in the road.

Asked by The Malta Independent how he expects to be taken seriously as a contender for the post of prime minister, he said: “I don’t think one has to do with the other, but the clear difference is that when there were unfortunate episodes in the PN, within a few hours there was clear action in terms of the persons involved carrying responsibility, while with the PL, obscenities affecting the country and damaging our reputation, abuses, corruption and illegalities that even people appointed by the government complain about, continue on as though nothing is wrong.”

“From the government’s side, they need to send a signal that in this country there is decency and good, that there is a clear line of what is good and acceptable and what isn’t. This government does not see this.”

He pointed to a speech by the Chamber of Advocates President this morning regarding the Moneyval report, and expressed concern about Malta being at risk of being blacklisted, “meaning that every investor will begin looking at our country and deciding not to come.”

He spoke of the need to ensure Maltese funds are being used well and not abusively, and quoted former PL Deputy Leader Joe Brincat as saying that they are crossing the line of criminality.

Asked whether he has any objections to the three members appointed by the government to the board conducting the public inquiry into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, Delia said that while the PN is content with the choice of Judge Michael Mallia, “we had our reservations - not in terms of competence or professionalism - on the other two nominated but over the fact that there are clear conflicts of interests.”

“It is not what we think that is most important. What is most important is that justice occurs and is seen to be taking place.”

He said that the Council of Europe practically unanimously voted “except for Azerbaijan which is seen to be the most corrupt country in the world from the international community, said that the way the appointment to this board took place is not good.”

He said that the search for the truth is the most important thing, adding that in Malta a journalist was murdered. “Every murder is bad and every assassination is to be condemned. But the murder of journalist in a democratic country also brings with it the murder of truth, the murder of freedom of expression.”

Delia said that aside from being the only country in the world where no political responsibility was carried, “we need to do the right thing in order to give justice to the family.

“We owe this to our nation... for justice to occur in a way that leaves no questions on a black period in our country.”

Asked whether he agrees with Peter Omtzigt, CoE Rapporteur, that the family of the assassinated journalist should be given privileged position in the inquiry, he said that in sensitive cases like this the family and those who are most intimate in this process should have the privilege of scrutiny for justice to take place and for there not to be more questions than answers and for the whole truth to emerge.