Abela recording ‘a test for Muscat’, Busuttil
PN deputy leader accuses Labour of being ‘morally bankrupt’ party
Nationalist deputy leader Simon Busuttil said a secret recording in which Labour deputy leader Toni Abela is heard saying that he asked a police officer not to press criminal charges, meant that Abela had to step down.
Addressing a press conference, Busuttil said that Abela had already denied the same allegations twice before on live television.
"This is a big test for Joseph Muscat now. Abela has no credibility left, and it's a test for Muscat if he believes in open government, an open party, and transparency."
Abela today denied having exerted any pressure on a police officer, but said he had asked a police officer at the Birkirkara police station not to press criminal charges on what was a civil matter - the particular incident concerned the barman of the Attard Labour club, who appears to have reported a PL committee member to the police for changing the locks to the bar.
But Busuttil accused Labour of being "morally bankrupt" and that it was unacceptable that a politician applies any pressure on a police officer. "Such behaviour is condemnable."
Busuttil rebutted earlier statements made by Abela that the PN's own club in Mosta had hosted illicit activity in the form of pole dancers. "I am not aware of these allegations but if they are public already then it should have been investigated. When we are made aware of such matters, we take them directly to the police."
This statement was the cue for a question as to why the PN had not furnished the police with a recording in which General Workers Union secretary-general Tony Zarb was heard saying he could give favoured companies "a push" on government tenders, especially if Labour is in power.
"The Zarb case concerns a political statement, and not a criminal act," Busuttil replied.
The recordings concern a meeting held between Zarb and cleaning services contractor Dominic Gafà, in which the union boss tells Gafà that the union's antagonistic attitude towards him would change if he allows his employees to unionise. Gafà is believed to have received 27 contracts from the government, including the OPM, on precarious work conditions for his employees.