[WATCH] Cabinet on pardon: reticent ministers say they support Muscat

Cabinet ministers have said that they support Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s decision to award a presidential pardon to an alleged criminal arrested last Thursday, suspected of being involved in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder.

On Tuesday morning, before cabinet met for its weekly meeting, the Prime Minister said he signed a letter in which he had committed himself to recommending a presidential pardon, once the suspect alleged to be the middleman in Daphne Caruana Galizia's assassination  reveals everything he knows about the case.

Muscat did not identify the suspect but said the person had indicated to police they had evidence to corroborate their claims.

Questioned on whether he backed the decision economy minister Chris Cardona, who had just left a Cabinet meeting, said he fully supported Muscat’s decision to recommend awarding a pardon.

“The Prime Minister was very clear in his comments to journalists this morning, and I have nothing to add,” Cardona said.

Cardona also refused to comment on whether the decision was discussed during the cabinet meeting.

“What is discussed during cabinet meetings is secret and confidential, and I will not be talking about what was discussed,” Cardona told journalists.

Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne reiterated Cardona’s comments, also supporting Muscat’s decision.

“We will support the Prime Minister in what he is doing,’ Fearne said.

Environment Minister Jose Herrera refused to comment about the decision, also citing confidentiality surrounding the cabinet meeting.

“I will not be talking about what is happening in the cabinet,” he said.

Foreign affairs minister Carmelo Abela did not comment when approached by the press.