Speaker rejects privilege complaints

The Speaker, Anton Tabone, yesterday turned down privilege complaints raised on May 29 by Environment Minister George Pullicino and Opposition leader Alfred Sant.

The minister had complained against l-orizzont while Dr Sant had moved privilege complaints against Mr Pullicino and the Nationalist Party media. Mr Pullicino subsequently raised a complaint against Dr Sant, which the Chair said it would hear without prejudice.

The complaints had followed a stormy adjournment speech by Mr Pullicino during which he defended the proposed changes to the development zones.

The Speaker said the incidents complained of, however unpleasant, lacked the element of intention as laid down in the Privileges Ordinance which said that a breach of privilege was committed when there was any endeavour to compel a Member by force, insult or menace to declare himself in favour of or against any proposition or matter pending or expected to be brought before the House.

Mr Tabone said the Chair was reiterating its appeal to all members to show tolerance, mutual respect and respect to the institution of Parliament.

The Speaker said that newspapers and the media had reported what happened from their own perspective but even in this case, there was no intent which constituted a breach of privilege.