It’s not about accepting Delia, it’s about keeping the party’s principles intact - Jason Azzopardi

● ‘But whether they will let me do it or not is something else’

One of new Nationalist Party leader Adrian Delia’s harshest critics in the PN, MP Jason Azzopardi, said yesterday that it was not about accepting the new leader but rather about ensuring that the principles and values for which the party stands remain intact.

Well-known for having been a strong and avid supporter of Delia’s fellow leadership contender Chris Said, Azzopardi told this newsroom that he will continue to work for the Party’s principles but added: “Whether they will let me do so or not is another matter.”

Perceptions of Azzopardi having not fully supported Delia’s election as the Party’s leader were evident from his absence at the Party’s traditional Independence activities over the last week. But the MP and lawyer explained yesterday that his absence had been due to a long and complicated court case on which he has been working that is coming to court this week. He insisted that he has always attended the events to mark Independence Day and that he would have done so this year as well, had it been possible.

When questioned as to whether or not he was willing to give Delia a chance, Azzopardi said he was obviously prepared to do so, and added that it was still early days.

He observed, however, that it was difficult for him to judge Delia due to having never worked with him on a political level. “I never saw him at a Party political activity, I have never seen him ‘ taħt it-tinda’. I don’t know him politically. I only know him professionally as a lawyer.”

There are, according to Azzopardi, more worrying concerns – prominent amongst which is the new leader’s attainment of a parliamentary seat, Azzopardi said.

He expressed his disbelief that, with the reopening of Parliament approaching in just over a week – on 2 October, the matter of Delia finding himself a seat in the House, and being installed as Opposition Leader, has not yet been resolved.

“He promised me – and promised everyone publicly back on 7 September – that the issue had been resolved and that he had a solution. That is what I – and others out there – am truly worried about,” the MP said.

Indeed, Azzopardi’s convictions on Delia have been critical and stern to say the least – with posts, shares and comments on social media having lambasted the new leader throughout the leadership campaign. “No one but no one should dirty the name, the story or the members of the Nationalist Party. No wonder Castille has remained quiet, it’s hoping that a Trojan horse has entered Dar Centrali” being just one example of the contempt Azzopardi showed for the then leadership candidate.

The sentiments conveyed by Azzopardi, through not just previous harsh comments but also the hope expressed yesterday that the Party’s values and principles would remain unchanged, could be symptomatic of the sentiments and even the rift being felt by others in the Party, particularly in its parliamentary group.

The MP placed great emphasis on the party being his “home”, explicitly stating that had not entered that home yesterday but that he has been present there for many, many years. He added that “although a foreigner might leave this home, I am a member of this family and will never leave.”

He added: “We are not in politics for gratification and I will keep doing my duty for this Party. As such, I will work with the new leader while ensuring that I keep my integrity and maintain the principles and values for which this Party stands.”