[WATCH] MPs approve bill for removal of prescription on corruption

A bill for the removal of prescription on acts of political corruption has been approved by MPs at committee stage, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced today.

Parliamentary secretary for justice Owen Bonnici thanked the Labour parliamentary group and Opposition MPs, whom he said came forward with their suggestions to the bill.

The draft bill was read for the first time on 10 April, less than a month since the Prime Minister first appointed his executive.

The bill effectively abrogates the right of ministers, parliamentary secretaries, MPs, mayors and councillors to use prescription when charged with corruption.

The State will also be permitted to file civil action to recoup assets that an elected official would have acquired from monies derived from corruption.

Bonnici said the Bill sent a clear message to politicians that the government demanded the best performance from them. A Bill for the protection of whistleblowers will shortly be moved, Bonnici said.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said the bill increased the bar for politicians. "We are expecting the highest of standards. This is an important sign of seriousness, but not an issue out of which we want to carry out witch-hunts," Muscat said.

Muscat also said the Whistleblowers' Act and a party financing law have already been discussed in Cabinet.

"We're looking for an open discussion with the PN and civil society. We are looking at the previous draft of the party financing bill and hope that by September, latest, we would have held consultation with everyone.

"We don't want the Opposition to think we are undercutting them in their current precarious financial state."

Muscat was asked over the selection of Labour-friendly supporters for appointments to government boards and public companies, but he refuted allegations of patronage. "People like Frank Portelli or Martin Fenech were on none of our billboards. No other government has opened their arms to the Opposition like we have done. These are completely new standards, and tonight I can sleep well because anyone who committed an act of corruption in the past will not sleep well, whatever they did, even if it was over 10 years ago."