Phone call opens can of worms

Gozitan Labour MP Anton Refalo yesterday confirmed he had made a phone call to a former MLP activist in the heat of the moment but categorically denied threatening him and accused him of defamation.

Shortly after addressing the Nationalist Party's council in Gozo on Saturday, Joe Camilleri got a call on his mobile phone from Dr Refalo who, he alleged, said: "Pray to God that the Labour Party is not elected to government," before indulging in a series of expletives.

Mr Camilleri, the president of the Nadur sectional committee, had switched his allegiance to the PN because of his belief in EU membership and even addressed a mass meeting in the run-up to the referendum. Until recently, his father served as a local councillor for Victoria on the MLP ticket.

Contacted yesterday, Mr Camilleri said: "When I got the phone call I thought it was some April fool's joke but soon realised it wasn't. I know some things are said in the heat of the moment, but this is unacceptable. I don't think the Labour Party administration approves of these actions."

The phone call elicited the condemnation of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

But Dr Refalo, giving his version of the events, told The Times yesterday he was provoked to make the phone call because he was being unjustly accused of corruption.

The former Parliamentary Secretary for Gozo said he received a text message from a person he described as being a PN councillor and who claimed he overheard Mr Camilleri telling a few people that Dr Refalo and other people were in cahoots in the property business to secure planning favours. He also allegedly claimed that Dr Refalo's Qala property was not covered by a permit.

"I deny all these accusations. Camilleri should know that I didn't even replace the ministry staff when I was appointed Parliamentary Secretary. What I said was: 'Would you like a Labour government to take revenge? Is this what you want?'"

In the meantime, Nationalist Party general secretary Joe Saliba called upon Dr Refalo to make a public apology.

"I am not in a position to tell the Labour Party administration how it should react to this incident, but this is a throwback to the past," he said.

Dr Refalo said he was prepared to tell Mr Saliba, in private, who had leaked Mr Camilleri's alleged comments.

But Mr Camilleri stood his ground and said Dr Refalo was evidently fed lies.

"He should check how reliable his contacts are. I have nothing on my conscience."