John Rizzo’s ‘integrity and impartiality’ proven along the years – Busuttil

Political interference had nothing to do with the former police commissioner John Rizzo's failure to arraign John Dalli, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil reiterated today.

Busuttil has stood by declarations made by Rizzo in court denying any political interference during the course of the John Dalli police investigation.

"John Rizzo is a person whose integrity and impartiality were proven along the years and no one had ever questioned his integrity," Busuttil said, insisting Rizzo had testified under oath.

Asked why therefore Rizzo never issued a European arrest warrant while Dalli was abroad, Busuttil said "the government should not insult people's intelligence".

"The facts are as is: the Attorney General agreed with Rizzo to arraign John Dalli and the new police commissioner decided to change course," Busuttil said, adding this left the Opposition no other option but to concluded political interference.

The Opposition leader, who on Monday walked out of the House of Representatives after the Speaker ruled against Busuttil in breach of privilege, rejected suggestions of overreaction.

"If you agree with me that the Opposition was being gagged and if you agree with me that it was an extraordinary case, then you will surely agree that our action necessitated the extraordinary in protest," he said.

While the Prime Minister alleged that some of the Opposition MPs might have not supported Busuttil's walkout, the leader of the Opposition claimed otherwise.

Referring to the motion tabled yesterday by the Opposition calling for a revision of the ruling, Busuttil said it was signed by the Nationalist parliamentary group showing he enjoyed their full support.

He also denied the motion was an attack against the Speaker.

"If anything, the attack was on us. We are simply making use of available parliamentary procedures. Contesting the Speaker's decision doesn't mean we do not trust him."

Busuttil also suggested the Police Commissioner, Peter Paul Zammit, should declare whether the Attorney General's advice to John Rizzo was given in a written statement.