[WATCH] 'If Toni goes, Joseph must go too' – Gonzi

Labour leader Joseph Muscat cannot sack his deputy leader Toni Abela over the Safi drug incident because he would have to tender his resignation too, since both covered up a criminal offence, PN leader Lawrence Gonzi said today in Naxxar.

(Video: Ray Attard/Mediatoday)

He said that Muscat, the person aspiring to become Prime Minister did not even have the decency, to shoulder political and legal responsibility and report the matter to the police.

As the crowd chanted: "Shame on you," Gonzi said: "Muscat cannot aspire to become Prime Minister because we do not want someone who covers up a crime such as this, which puts our children in danger, because it could embarrass his party."

The PN leader dedicated the latter part of his address to the drug case at the Labour club in Safi, which he described as "unprecedented in Maltese political history."

"This is a very serious matter. This is a crime, which could land you a life sentence. The Labour leader failed to take the necessary steps and failed to report the case to the police. He should be ashamed of himself. He cannot come forward as a candidate for the Prime Minister's seat. Never in Maltese political history has anyone stooped so low. Never has anyone done so much to conceal a criminal act."

Yesterday, opposition leader Joseph Muscat admitted to making a mistake in not reporting the drugs find at the PL Safi club in 2009 to the police.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Muscat denied ever lying outright about the case. Muscat had initially denied any knowledge of the drugs find when Labour deputy leader Toni Abela's recordings first surfaced.

Insisting that Muscat and Abela were "accomplices," Gonzi said that their positions within the Labour Party are untenable.

Gonzi said that while Muscat committed political murder against former PL deputy leader Anglu Farrugia, he did not do away with his other deputy leader Toni Abela. "He cannot sack Toni, because if Toni goes, Joseph must go too. If Toni goes, Joseph must quit too."

Electoral victory is close, but the PN has two weeks of hard work ahead of it, Gonzi said.

Addressing a sea of blue in Naxxar, the PN leader made it a point to tell his supporters that electoral victory is within reach, but warned that it would not be easy.

"Victory is close, but a lot of work needs to be done in the remaining two weeks. A lot of people remain undecided and I want to address these persons. The PN is the only guarantee for a safe and secure future for all. We have to persuade these persons that the PN is the natural choice for a quality leap in job creation, education and health."

Another resonant message in Gonzi's speech was the PN's readiness to serve the country and echoing his predecessor's mantra, the PN leader repeatedly stressed that "the PN is ready to serve."

"Keep this in mind. On 9 March you have to choose whether to trust the country to a scandalous party or to the real act. Labour are only a bad copy of the PN. We are the real thing. We are the original version. We are the party of Eddie Fenech Adami. We are the party of Gorg Borg Olivier. We are the party which wants to serve the country, our families and our children."

He also said that the PN had no divine right to win the election, but the PN would only win the election if the party convinces and earns the people's trust.

"We are here to serve the people, to help the country move forward. We do not win elections by right, we win elections because you the people, trust us. Once again we have to look forward at 9 March with this in mind. We only deserve to win if we can guarantee that the country's future is as safe and secure as it was under past PN administrations. "

Addressing the crowd before Gonzi, PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil said: "Lets not give up. Don't change a winning horse. Let's do something for the country. Let's choose wealth, integrity and a quality leap. Let's choose the Nationalist Party for ourselves, our children and our country."

He added that the PN is aware of its own errors and shortcoming, however said that the PN was committed to make things right. "Although we will not be able to make amends with everyone by 9 March, after the election we will make sure to remain close to the people and listen to what the people have to say."