PN withdraws allegations against Minister over traffic accident

The Labour Party has accused the Nationalist Party of lying over Justice Minister Owen Bonnici after the editor of In-Nazzjon issued a statement withdrawing allegations surrounding a traffic accident in which Bonnici was involved.

In a statement issued on Monday morning, the Labour Party said the PN lied over its reports on the traffic accident, confirmed by the apology issued by the newspaper’s editor.

“This is not the first time that the PN has been caught lying to score political points. Gozo Minister Anton Refalo was a victim of false reports as well, aimed only to tarnish their reputation,” the PL said.

It said the PN was attacking the individuals on a personal basis, in a bid to gain political mileage out of the different situations.

In an editorial declaration issued on Saturday, In-Nazzjon apologised for any shadows cast on Bonnici’s integrity, adding that at no point did the paper wanted to allege that the minister was driving under the influence of alcohol.

A man was injured in a traffic accident after a car being driven by Bonnici bumped into a stationary car. Two men were standing in front of the stationary car and one of them got hit by the stationary car.

In-Nazzjon clarified that the Minister did not hit anyone with his vehicle and said it was accepting his declaration that he fully cooperated with the authorities during and after the incident.