Adrian Vassallo under pressure after ‘approach’ revelation

Labour MP Adrian Vassallo has come under heavy party pressure, following his revelation to MaltaToday last Wednesday, that he was “approached” by government MPs in the wake of his vociferous anti-divorce stand.

Vassallo has vehemently denied rumours of any ‘backroom manoeuvres’ that could potentially sink the debate on a private members’ bill on the introduction of divorce, by calling for a division as soon as it is presented before the House.

Such a move would embarrass pro-divorce Labour leader Joseph Muscat, and open the doors to a PN media onslaught.

MaltaToday is informed that a number of Labour party officials were alarmed at the revelation, and sought immediate assurances from the outspoken MP, that he is estranged to any potential ‘cross-party plot’ that could derail the parliamentary debate, and an eventual referendum on divorce.

Last Wednesday, MaltaToday revealed how a ‘promised’ referendum that would ask the electorate to decide on introducing divorce in Malta, risks not being called at all as anti-divorce MPs are reportedly preparing to vote down the proposed private members’ bill by calling a division as soon as it comes up for discussion.

The report – which was not denied – explained that at least four MPs from both sides of the House are said to be behind a manoeuvre that would basically bury any prospect of having the electorate decide on divorce.

But while Vassallo assured his party that he has absolutely no intention of blocking the parliamentary debate, the PL is reportedly looking into the possibility of “another MP” on its benches that could have been approached.

Senior PN sources have denied any knowledge of government MPs engaging with Vassallo or any other Opposition MP. 

But while both parties are calculating their parliamentary numbers in a bid to establish whether or not there exists a pro-divorce majority in the House, the scenario of a no-referendum has already been spelt out to Prime Minister and PN leader Lawrence Gonzi.

Gonzi – who declared that he will forward the divorce question to the electorate as the issue is “too big” for MPs to decide on ­­– is said to be against such a move, warning that the collateral damage would be devastating for the homogeneity of the party.

The Prime Minister wants the divorce bill to go through the whole parliamentary process, however it remains unclear whether he intends to start the debate and suspend it after all MPs would have stated their position, and call a referendum, then bring the result to the House for the final vote.

Asked to comment, Labour leader Joseph Muscat told MaltaToday: “everyone is waiting for the Prime Minister to make what is already an overdue public announcement on the roadmap he intends to follow.”

This week, the PN is expected to publish a resolution that would state its position on divorce.

The resolution – which will be discussed on Saturday by the PN’s executive council – has already been drafted, and is expected to declare a clear position against divorce. However, it will pragmatically leave an open window to appease the liberal faction within the party that favours divorce.

The resolution will declare that the PN will respect any decision taken by the people in a referendum on the matter.

Meanwhile, government has a Cohabitation Bill that is ready to be published and is expected to be presented to parliament ‘imminently’.

As the PN argues that a Cohabitation Bill was promised in 1998, pro-divorce lobbyists are riding on the contradiction that was exposed by Fr. Rene’ Camilleri in an interview to MaltaToday, when he stated that he “prefers divorce to cohabitation.”