Updated | Deputy speaker rules Mizzi’s choice of words ‘inappropriate’

Deputy speaker Censu Galea has ruled that Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi "attributed ulterior motives" which were not substantiated during his address to the House yesterday evening on the discovery of 665 files allegedly locked away in an abandoned room.

"An MP has the right to criticise but he cannot attribute ulterior motives without substantiating them. The minister's words were inappropriate," Galea ruled.

He added that his ruling was sufficient enough as a remedy. He also poined out that the standing order cited by the Opposition had been incorrect.

During yesterday's plenary session in parliament, Nationalist MP Tonio Fenech requested a ruling after Mizzi said "you put them [the files] there... thrown away by the previous administration".

Fenech then requested for the minister to be named in parliament - naming an MP is the process through which the Speaker or one of his deputies proposes a vote on the suspension of a member of the House if the Speaker believes that the MP breached the rules of conduct of the House.

In this case, Mizzi will not be suspended but has only been warned by the Chair that he could have made a better choice of words.

During the crossfire, where he was constantly interrupted as he tried to reply to the questions, Mizzi chose against withdrawing his words arguing that political responsibility had to be shouldered by the previous administration.

"The theft happened under your watch... Enemalta's situation worsened under your watch. I have nothing to be ashamed of," Mizzi said.

"We are on the right side. I have nothing to be ashamed of. But I was interrupted eight times and if they [Opposition] want to gag me, it's their choice. But I stand resolved on the issue. We acted as a government that is tackling various scandals. And I don't think the Opposition should have attacked me in that way."

But Fenech, supported by Nationalist MPs George Pullicino and Mario de Marco, said Mizzi could not allege that a political decision had led to the files being stowed away without substantiating his allegations.

Addressing the House this evening before Galea gave his final ruling, a defiant Mizzi said the public had a right to know what the Labour administration had uncovered at Enemalta.

"The opposisition's actions show that it is not interested in knowing that around 1,000 smart meters had been found tampered with. Tonio Fenech wanted to suspend me for revealing scandals that occurred under the PN administration.

Did Tonio Fenech know about this scandal?" Mizzi said.

He explained that officials found almost 700 files pertaining to theft of electricity where no action was taken.

"This is shameful," he said, adding that the government's decisions taken to turnaround Enemalta were bearing fruit.

"I urge the Opposition to let us work as we continue to uncover the extent of this scandal."

In his rebuttal, Fenech said the Opposition was after "clarity" as the minister refused to withdraw his statement.

A former minister responsible from Enemalta, Fenech said it was "curious" that the tampering of smart meters was only revealed now as "things came to light in July".

He also questioned whether Konrad Mizzi, as a former manager at Enemalta, had been aware of the thefts back in 2006.

Intervening, Mizzi said he would not name Fenech for insinuating that he failed to take action on the thefts.

"Unlike the Opposition who's wasting precious time of this parliament, I will not ask for Fenech to be named. Yes, we knew in July and from two tampered smart meters we caught 1,000 smart meters. I have nothing to be ashamed of...I stand tall before the people. If the Opposition wants to gag me, it's their issue... but nothing will stop me from doing my work," Mizzi said.