Decadence within the home affairs is minister’s responsibility – Labour

Labour Party's spokesman for Home Affairs Michael Falzon has hit out at Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici holding him responsible of the "decadence" within the sector.

Addressing a press conference this morning, Falzon also accused Mifsud Bonnici - recently appointed Leader of the House - of delaying motions set to discuss issues falling under his work portfolio.

Referring to media reports over the recurrent violent incidents at Paceville and drugs finds at the Corradino Correctional Facility, Falzon said this was the result of the government's bad leadership.

Reacting to a report published by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Falzon said the European organisation had criticised Corradino's administration.

"But despite more reports of drug trafficking at the prisons, instead of strengthening their controls, the authorities have dissolved the dogs section at Corradino," he said.

Falzon said the Police Force's reputation has received yet another blow, this time after a former police sergeant was arrested and charged for stealing €30,000 in cash which was confiscated during raids in connection with clandestine lotto.

"This police officer was involved in the Nicholas Azzopardi inquiry and had been crucial in determining the outcome," Falzon said, adding that even though Mifsud Bonnici had been against the re-opening of the inquiry, the Police administration have asked for it.

Falzon also said that Mifsud Bonnici had a number of pending inquiries, one of which about the death of a prisoner.

"It is extremely worrying that government is living in denial, ignoring all the failures," he said.