Committee finds breach of privilege

The Parliamentary Privileges Committee agreed yesterday that a person who phoned Labour MP Marie-Louise Coleiro to criticise her over a parliamentary question even before the reply was given in the House had committed a breach of privilege. The...

The Parliamentary Privileges Committee agreed yesterday that a person who phoned Labour MP Marie-Louise Coleiro to criticise her over a parliamentary question even before the reply was given in the House had committed a breach of privilege.

The committee decided, however, that it would hear the caller, Ms Maria Magro, before deciding whether to refer the matter to court or decide on other action.

Ms Coleiro had raised the privilege complaint on October 13, saying she had received a threatening call from a person who said her name was Maria Magro. The parliamentary question was about permits for a kiosk in Victoria, Gozo.

The Speaker, Anton Tabone, told the committee that he had received a letter from Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Cachia telling him that Ms Magro had admitted phoning Ms Coleiro.

The committee's sitting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Nationalist MPs Mario de Marco and Jason Azzopardi, Labour MPs An©lu Farrugia and Ms Coleiro, and Attorney-General Anthony Borg Barthet.

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