Speaker to investigate Prime Minister’s ‘disparaging’ comments

Labour MP Anglu Farrugia has asked Speaker Michael Frendo to look into comments made by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, when he described parliament as "dan il-Parlament bravu taghna".

Gonzi's comment was made yesterday morning during a political activity while commenting on the approval of the Opposition's motion that led to the resignation of former minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici and Malta's permanent representative to the EU, Richard Cachia Caruana.

"Because the Prime Minister didn't agree with the outcome of the two motions, he chose to pass disparaging comments," Farrugia said, adding that Gonzi's sarcastic tone highlighted his attempt to ridicule parliament.

Farrugia went on to ask Frendo to take steps against anyone who tried to ridicule parliament.

Intervening, deputy prime minister Tonio Borg said that anyone could criticise parliament as this formed part of the freedom of expression.

However, Farrugia insisted that it had nothing to do with expressing one's opinion but that the comment was aimed at mocking parliament.

On his part, the Speaker said that he would be investigating the issue.

Earlier today, the Labour parliamentary group reacted to the case by insisting that the rules of democracy demanded that the prime minister should respect Parliament and the people whom it represented.