Updated | Labour and PN in war of words over MP's conviction

In a statement issued today, the Labour Party asked whether opposition leader Simon Busuttil would remain silent on MP Claudio Grech or whether he would ask his MP to shoulder political responsibility.

In reaction, the Nationalist MP said Labour was “recycling” an old story to justify its defence of Cyrus Engerer who yesterday withdrew his candidature for the European elections after a court of appeal convicted him to a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was acquitted last year of keeping and circulating pornographic images of his former partner, and of computer misuse.

In 1996 the Court of  Magistrates presided by magistrate Dennis Montebello delivered a judgment against Claudio Grech for breaching the Criminal Code after falsifying his own ID card.

Labour said Busuttil should take a stand on Grech’s position since the MP previously held a number of government posts, including MITA.

“Simon Busuttil should be consistent and call on this MP to shoulder political responsibility,” Labour said.

The PN leader, Labour added, cannot abstain from this decision as he did on other matters including the vote on civil unions and his position on hunting.

In reaction, the Nationalist MP said Labour was “recycling” an old story to justify its defence of Cyrus Engerer who yesterday withdrew his candidature for the European elections after a court of appeal convicted him to a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was acquitted last year of keeping and circulating pornographic images of his former partner, and of computer misuse.

In his reply to Labour’s statement, Grech said “Joseph Muscat and the Labour Party are only trying to attack me because they’re only concerned with deviating public attention over events which exposed how Muscat chooses what’s wrong over what’s right.”

Grech added that Labour was trying to divert attention by referring to “minor case which happened almost 20 years ago.” The MP explained that the case had no consequence on himself or third parties.

“It was so clear that there was no bad intention that I was conditionally discharged,” he noted, adding that he had respected the decision, learnt a lesson for good and moved on.   

“What happened almost 20 years ago does not in any way justify Joseph Muscat’s position to exalt Cyrus Engerer and turn the truth on its head.”