MP raises privilege complaint, makes four quorum calls

Labour MP Joe Mizzi yesterday raised a breach of privilege complaint in Parliament against the PN news website Maltarightnow.com and against Nationalist MP Mario Galea on the basis of comments reported on the website.

Mr Mizzi on Tuesday made 10 quorum calls during the sitting and continued in the same vein yesterday.

After the first five-minute interruption yesterday, Competitiveness Minister Censu Galea, who was in possession, was called by the Speaker to resume his speech. He however said he was observing a minute's silence because, he said, 29 of the 30 Opposition MPs were not present.

Mr Mizzi promptly made a second call for a quorum, saying there would be a five-minute silence because the government could not keep 15 of its MPs in the House. Later in the sitting he made another two quorum calls.

A minimum of 15 MPs is needed for a quorum.

Sittings are interrupted for five minutes after each quorum call and a count is taken upon resumption of the sitting. Should a quorum still not be formed, the sitting would be adjourned.

Mr Mizzi on Monday had warned of his actions after protesting over a decision by the Chair finding he had, prima facie, committed a breach of privilege in comments he made against Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett.

In his quorum calls Mr Mizzi said he was protesting that the minister was not replying to his questions.

Mr Mizzi yesterday formally wrote to the Speaker to contest the Monday ruling. He said no call had been made for a breach of privilege complaint and no indication was given over the clause of Standing Orders on which the said complaint was based.