Muscat accuses Gonzi of putting ‘undue pressure’ on judiciary with his reply to Said’s resignation letter

Opposition leader Joseph Muscat has accused Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi of putting ‘undue pressure’ on the judiciary in his reply to Chris Said’s resignation.

In a statement, Muscat explained how he was “seriously concerned” with the statement made by Gonzi in his letter to Said.

In his reply to Said’s resignation letter earlier in the day, Gonzi had said: “While I am doing this, I hope that the quick conclusion of this legal process would enable me to re-appoint you in the same post that you had occupied till today with a lot of energy and enthusiasm”.

“This public declaration by the head of the executive in Malta amounts to pressure on the judiciary, which should be allowed to conduct its work with full independence and the necessary serenity,” Muscat charged.

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Clayton Saliba
How come Chris Spiteri commented about the need to remove facial hairs just a day ahead of the public reading the story ? I don't believe in coincidence, was there a leak or how can this be explained ? We know the policy now, and off with the goat-tee for Muscat so nothing seems safe at MLP spin doctors HQ
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So you thought mu comment was irreleveant , well obviously Muscats advisers did not, as he has had to sahve all FACIAL HAIRS, about time too. Be serious and hope you dont choke on your own vomit now
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Clayton Saliba
you must a doctor soon, cause your sense of smell must be lost, handling so much manure on each page - not healthy
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joseph mercieca
Chris although you are not a Nats but a good fearing man, when you want to vomit hateful bile find yourself a bucket and not a newpaper. Anyway this is the last time I will flogg you because I see that you are an ingnorant, uneducated biggot, typical traits of a Maltese Catholic. I mean do you think your hero of the politics of persuasion would stoops so low to commet on his opponents facial hair during a political argument. If you have only that to say about Joe Muscat, its better that you keep your mouth shut. By your contribution you shot yourself in the leg as you, not only, showed how bloody dense you are but maybe, worse than that, you showed us that you are a racsit.
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Alfred Galea
Yeah, alleged rape case.
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Alfred Galea
Are you for real?? I think the PM should urge to court to expedite Said's brothers' rape case instead of this one....
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Aravind
It seems that some of the people who commented below should eat a slice of humble pie for dinner . Justyne is not the advocate acting against Dr Said as he would like us to believe in his comments yesterday .So maybe we should " Let the People Decide " .
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Alfred Galea
Muscat is not trying to prejudice a case by putting pressure on any court to expedite it. The PM shouldn't have said anything or at least should have said that he'll await the outcome of the case and then go from there. Surely, you and others can understand that?
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Aravind
@ Victor Laiviera. I agree totally and i really think Dr Muscat had to reply to Dr Gonzi's statement . @ markanthony Re Justyne this is really dragging the bottom of the barrel she is only doing what her client asked her to do . Show me one advocate who would not do the same if instructed by their client . Wiser to wait till we hear both sides of the coin i think .
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Ash Leight
@ Chris Spiteri Well dear Said, read it sa-id:it is as western as it could get! Muscat does not need advise on headlines grabbing: he is geting it for free from one PN scandal after the other. Is it a new record for political scandals at the Guinness Book of Records? Please advise.
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cias gerh
I bet that those who are having a free ride on Gonzi's Gravy train are sitting tight on their seats: the train seems to be disintigrating fast, the centre is not holding and the free perks from the taxpayers monies are going to end soon! What a fright!
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The Pn men are falling like flies.at least this one had the decency to resign. its a shame that Gonzi and his clowns does not have the same decency.
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Ian George Walker
Joseph Muscat is perfectly right. It is not acceptable for a Prime Minister to pressure the judiciary in this manner. The case that Mr Cremona mentioned (car registration) is totally different - no comparison whatsoever.
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Ian Sammut
Did Dr.Muscat forget that it was he himself and not Gonzi who solemnly declared that he would ignore, when in government,any ruling that might be taken in future by the Courts against refunds of car registrations? Veru l-kaz li nghidu 'il-qahba milli jkollha ttik'
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Alfred Galea
It's not Justyne who laid the charge of perjury against Said....and perjury is not a "bullshit" case....a US president, Bill Clinton, was impeached for lying under oath aka perjury. And Muscat is right...the PM shouldn't be putting pressure for "a quick conclusion to this legal process", he should let justice take its course. Question: why was the PM's letter to Said made public?? Since when is the PM's correspondence with his MPs and PSs are made public??
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John Camilleri
If Muscat really respects the judiciary he should tell his buddy Justyne (the lawyer representing the other side) to stop wasting the court's time with this bullshit case.
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Muscat needs some headline attention and he picked on this one??? Who advises him ? By the by , he should shave if he wishes to accept western leaders company - reddish facial hairs are associted with Taliban not civilised hygienic leaders that need to appeal to both sexes, unless he is simply after muslim votes who's male must prove they are men and allow facial hairs. well done
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Clayton Saliba
Mr Muscat should be made aware that , all men are born equal and many also get over it. Wish his condition to improve...........