Labour MPs condemn 'prisoner's threats'

The Labour Party's parliamentary group has condemned threats allegedly made by Mario Camilleri, known as l-Imniehru, against Labour MPs José Herrera, Gavin Gulia and Anglu Farrugia and called on Minister Tonio Borg "to assume his responsibility".

Mr Camilleri is serving a prison sentence at the Corradino Correctional Facility.

The issue refers to a cleaning contract at the law courts granted to a company "close" to Mr Camilleri. It arose when Dr Herrera filed a parliamentary question about the subject and then got a threatening phone call from Mr Camilleri.

The MLP Parliamentary group questioned how prisoners could phone "with such ease from prison".

In reply to claims in Parliament by Labour leader Alfred Sant, the Home Affairs Ministry said in a statement that the ministry did not interfere in cleaning contracts awarded by the law courts, and during the selection process no link with Mr Camilleri had been made.

When court officials became aware of this connection, they terminated the contract.

The ministry said that a phone call was made from prison to Dr Farrugia and if its contents constitute a crime, steps will be taken by the police.

Prisoners are allowed to use phone booths. Calls from these phones are recorded.

In a separate statement, the Chamber of Advocates deplored the alleged threats and urged the authorities to investigate.