Mallia threatens disciplinary action against police who leak information

Speaker Anglu Farrugia has not found Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia guilty of breach of privilege, following a ruling requested by Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi.

Azzopardi alleged that the Home Affairs Minister, in reply to parliamentary questions, had twice misguided parliament.

Mallia had said that, since 2004, no calls for applications for AFM officers relating to courses in the United Kingdom were issued and stated that officers used to be handpicked to attend Staff Colleges.

In the second parliamentary question, Mallia said the recommendation of the previous Brigadier was not required for the promotion of Brigadier Jeffrey Curmi and other colonels.

In yet another ruling, the Speaker said that Mallia did not give incorrect information: officers, since 2004, were always handpicked to attend Staff Colleges and a request by now Brigadier Curmi to attend these courses had never been accepted.

In the case of army promotions, there were “no accelerated promotions” and therefore the recommendation of the previous Brigadier was not required.

The only accelerated promotion given was to non-combatant Captain Susan Agius, and the promotion enjoyed Brigadier Xuereb’s recommendation.

The House of Representatives this evening continued discussing the legislation awarding trade union membership to disciplined forces.

In the winding-up speech, Mallia warned that police officers could face disciplinary action, if found to have leaked information given to them by virtue of their rank.

In the opening debate, the minister had urged officers “not to allow anyone to use them for political mileage”.

According to Mallia, “certain members were being asked to pass on [to people outside the corps] circulars, memos and information”.