PN Leader steps up attack on credibility of Gozo drug inquiry

PN leader Simon Busuttil yesterday further emphasised his doubts on the credibility of the Gozo drug inquiry, which he said was a cover-up, and questioned the thoroughness of the report.

Addressing a crowd in Senglea, Dr Busuttil said that, as expected “the result of the supposedly independent inquiry was that there was nothing wrong found,” however emphasised queries as to why specific, “obvious” factors and sources were not included in the inquiry.

The inquiry into the Gozo drugs case, which was published on Saturday, found that there was no hint of proof of any political interference in the case.

The inquiry was launched following allegations in an article penned by MaltaToday, where it was alleged that a statement given to the police during a drug investigation in 2013, was changed following a meeting involving “two senior politicians” and one of the accused’s parents, resulting in a change of her statement.

Dr Busuttil pointed out that only two people had been investigated for the inquiry. He asked why the ministers, chauffeurs of the ministers, and the police were not questioned. He also questioned why security cameras were not checked. “Even a child in year 1 would know to check a security camera as one of the measures,” he said. He also emphasised his surprise at the reaction of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, who, following the inquiry, suggesting to the inspector that he should also inquire the Ministers.

The Gozo drug inquiry case was addressed by Dr Busuttil amongst other concerns regarding the “total collapse of order and security”. “Law is supposed to be there for everyone and it isn’t there for everyone right now,” he said, “people are worried and their peace of mind is being threatened,” firmly stating that “there is no equality’.

Dr Busuttil made reference to the car bomb and vehicle fire incidents and rise of theft, amongst others. “The worst thing, however, is when there is political interference with the police system,” the PN leader said, “when that is the case, criminality is bound to increase.”

He reminded those present that, unlike in the “whitewash, false” inquiry of the Gozo drug case, Dr Muscat appointed three retired judges to investigate allegations involving PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami. Following which, he promised to improve the police corps and justice system and regain the nation’s respect for the police force, if the Nationalist Party is to be elected in the next general election, stating that key appointments to Malta’s institutions will have to be approved by a two-thirds majority in Parliament. “The Nationalist Party is ready to start a proper inquiry,” he informed the crowd, “to do what Joseph Muscat did not do.”

During the political gathering, Dr Busuttil also spoke about a few proposals which are being put forward by the Nationalist Party in the run up for the next General Election.

The Party Leader addressed the issue of equality for those individuals who “take on the same amount of work as others, but don’t get payed the same amount.” He explained that ‘equal pay for equal work’ will be one of the initiatives that the Nationalist Party will be pushing for.

Another proposal is on free medicine for pensioners, who “find it difficult to afford all needs, especially with the rise in the price of food.“

“It is not right that you get people into this position, especially when it comes to health,” he continued. “You cannot make people beg when it comes to health concerns”.

Initiatives for small business were also mentioned by Dr Busuttil, who stated that a PN government would charge all small businesses at a rate of 10% tax on the first €15,000 of profit.

Dr Busuttil also spoke about the need for Malta to retain Air Malta as its national airline and his party’s commitment to improving and introducing new modes of public transport and generating transport efficiency.

Dr Busuttil said he wishes the PN is elected “not because other people make mistakes, or because the Labour Party is worse than the Nationalist Party, but because people believe that the Nationalist Party are offering the best vision for Malta”.

He said that in the current Government “there is a lack of vision,” continuing that the Nationalist Party has a vision for the country as well as an interest in investing in the quality of life of individuals.