Updated | Opposition to move no confidence motion in Home Affairs Minister

The Opposition will be presenting a no confidence motion in Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia after the Prime Minister's refusal to sack the minister, the PN announced.

Addressing a press conference at the PN headquarters following the Prime Minister's speech in parliament, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil accused Joseph Muscat of "fear in the face of abuse".

"It is clear that Muscat this evening stuck his neck out for Manuel  Mallia, while completely ignoring the scandals involving Minister Helena Dalli and Labour MP Luciano Busuttil. Muscat, with his refusal to let go of Mallia, is an accomplice to all that has happened," Busuttil said.

The PN leader reiterated that Minister Mallia had to shoulder responsibility for Wednesday's shooting incident and for the subsequent "cover-up of the incident".

Mallia this evening in parliament insisted that he had not written or read the statement that was issued by his ministry on Wednesday night reporting that warning shots had been fired. In reality, police constable and Mallia's escort Paul Sheehan had fired two shots, hitting a car.

Busuttil said that if the Prime Minister was not ready to take action, the Opposition would not remain impassive.

"People are angry and disgusted over the shooting incident and how the Prime Minister has reacted to it. People expect political responsibility to be shouldered."

According to the PN leader, the argument of a cover up was further reinforced by the fact that Sheehan has not been arraigned in court. Sheehan was yesterday afternoon hospitalised suffering from chest pain following a commotion at his residence. Questions sent by MaltaToday on the alleged commotion have remained unanswered. 

Busuttil also refuted Muscat's claims that former Nationalist cabinet members have only paid €300,000 out of the €1,600,000 they had "agreed" to pay back out of their ministerial increase.
"This is a lie, everything has been paid back," Busuttil said.

Government says Busuttil in panic mode

In reaction to Busuttil’s announcement, government said the PN leader was in “panic” because he is unable to answer to the Prime Minister who totally rebutted the opposition leader’s criticism.

“This was borne out of the Opposition leader’s inability to uphold his own criticism,” government said. Adding that Busuttil is refusing to talk about what is making a real difference in people’s lives.

Government reiterated that Busuttil is trying to be “judge, jury and prosecutor” in the case involving Mallia’s driver. “He’s not interested in the truth and he’s only playing a futile political game.”