Simon Busuttil texts MPs lambasting Adrian Delia’s press comments

Simon Busuttil did not take kindly to comments by leadership hopeful Adrian Delia, who today accused the outgoing PN leader of being “busy campaigning with Chris Said”.

It all began with photos uploaded on Facebook by the other leadership candidate, Chris Said, who shared with social media followers his visit to the Mellieha feast.

It so happened that Busuttil attended the same feast and he was captured in three photos: two in which the PN leader was standing outside the church and a third in which he, along with Said and PN MP Robert Cutajar – who hails from Mellieha – are pictured with the committee of the Societa Filarmonica La Vittoria.

Simon Busuttil, Chris Said and Robert Cutajar photographed with the band club committee

Fast-forward to today’s press conference and Delia was asked by reporters whether he had been invited to meet Busuttil, or the party’s executive, since the first round of elections – it’s been a turbulent few weeks with Delia accusing “a clique” of trying to hijack his election bid.

“In the first two weeks Simon Busuttil invited the four candidates to ascertain that we maintain a friendly leadership race. He told us we would meet every week. We met twice and never again. I understand that Busuttil is busy campaigning with PN leadership contender Chris Said,” Delia replied, as quoted by the Malta Independent.

His comment was not ignored.

The PN’s parliamentary group shares a WhatsApp group and Busuttil, to clear his name from any accusations or suggestions of preferential treatment, sent a text message to the MPs.

“Colleagues. I would like to bring the following to your attention,” the message to the parliamentary group's WhatsApp chat read.

“Adrian Delia was reported saying today that I was too busy to meet him because I was campaigning for Chris Said. Quite apart from the fact that I met Delia twice in private, I would like you to know that this statement is completely false and I did nothing of the sort.”

Busuttil added that he attended both the Naxxar and Mellieha feasts on Saturday and Sunday and this was made known by the party in the respective localities.

He said that, as per normal practice, all local MPs were present along with members of the local committees.

“Chris got wind of my attendance and turned up, which is where and how pictures were taken of us together. If Adrian was there the same would have happened,” Busuttil explained.

Not holding anything back, Busuttil said the following on Delia: “I find these attacks unbecoming from a person who aspires to replace me.”

A number of MPs jumped to Busuttil’s defence, including one confirming seeing Busuttil at the Naxxar feast. “Kap was not campaigning for anyone. I was there.”