Abela issue ‘purely a civil case’ – Muscat

Labour Leader Joseph Muscat has insisted that the still-unfolding case involving recorded statements by PL deputy leader Toni Abela wherein he is heard saying that he asked police to not press charges in a case involving Labour supporters is "purely a civil issue."

M uscat was fielding questions regarding Abela's involvement in a dispute between Labour party supporters involving a party club, which led to the unveiling of a recording in court  where Abela is heard telling a Labour committee about how he requested a police officer to not press charges.

The recording allowed the PN to latch onto it accusations of political pressure on the police force, and of trying to use its influence to shut down damaging stories.

Asked about the Abela's involvement in the issue and his statements which a NET journalist said had "dominated" the news agenda, and whether Abela should resign, Muscat did not answer directly, and threw the focus back to the unfolding Enemalta oil-purchasing commissions scandal, and minister Austin Gatt's involvement in it.

"I think that rather, yesterday was dominated by the Prime Minister's silence on why he was choosing to defend Austin Gatt and endorse his version of events," Muscat said.

Muscat also referred to the published correspondence that implicates minister Austin Gatt in meetings with George Farrugia, agent for commodities firms Trafigura and Total, who has ben granted a presidential pardon to turn State witness only days ago.

 "[The Prime Minister] is now political responsible of what is being said," Muscat said.

Muscat also insisted that Abela's case is "totally different given that it is purely a civil case that concerns itself with padlocks."

Pressed by the media, Muscat reiterated that the case was simply one related to forced entry, which amounts to a civil case, and that "it is simply an issue between two barmen."

"I think that Abela explained his position very well," Muscat added.

He also declined to react to a comparison between former deputy leader' Anglu Farrugia's unceremonious resignation purportedly over statements that amounted to an attack on the judiciary's integrity.

Asked whether Labour was applying a "two weights, two measures" approach and whether there is a measure of political responsibility that Abela must shoulder, Muscat referred to evidence that emerged in court that suggests that GRTU president and former PN candidate Vince Farrugia allegedly attempted to influence witness testimony in his case against Sandro Chetcuti.

"I think there is a greater element of political responsibility regarding what was proven in court with respect to Vince Farrugia," Muscat said.

Muscat was speaking during a brief address before the Gateway Entrance of the University of Malta campus, where he reiterated several of labour's proposals for the tertiary education sector.

Muscat said that Labour remains committed to supporting and expanding the tertiary education sector through more funding that allows more people to study, as well as improve their professional and academic qualifications.

Among the proposals touched upon by Muscat were the proposals to extent stipends to people returning to post-secondary education after resigning or losing their jobs, as well as increasing stipends to reflect COLA increases on a pro rata basis.

Muscat also said that a Labour government would provide additional funding opportunities to students seeking to study aboard or by correspondence while working part-time.

Muscat also hit out at government for the manner in which EU Erasmus scholarships funding was cut for an entire year, pointing to an Ombudsman inquiry report which determined that the funding programme was not handled adequately.