Nationalist MP slams 'repeated bullying tactics by government'

Jason Azzopardi accuses Minister of threatening democracy • Video Ray Attard

Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi has accused the Labour government of "repeated bullying tactics", reiterating that a warning against officers who leak information was "a threat to democracy".

Azzoaprdi was referring to an intervention by Home Affairs Manuel Mallia in Parliament on Tuesday, who said that officers found leaking information given to them by virtue of their position would face disciplinary action.

"Mallia's threat against these officers is a threat against democracy. The underlying tone is that officers who uncover abuse or pass information to the media showing abuse will be punished," the PN MP said.

Addressing a press conference outside the parliament building in Valletta, Azzopardi said an honest politician and government "would naturally encourage people to come forward and reveal abuse".

Azzopardi said Mallia's warning had effectively shreded the whistleblowing policy to pieces.

"The minister's statement is a source of worry; he has now taken off a mask, unveiling what the government really thinks about fighting corruption."

According the MP, Mallia has now proved the Opposition right in its criticism. He went on to ask how citizens could trust a minister under whose watch army officers were promoted without security clearances while police faced pressure against investigating claims of sweatshop labour.

Azzopardi said the government resorted to bullying tactics and mudslinging whenever it found itself with its back against the wall. He said that during the minister's 95-minute speech, "[Mallia] attacked me 44 times".

Candidate and media.link journalist Alessia Psaila Zammit said that honest politicians would never warn against officers leaking information "unless they have something to hide".