MP raises privilege complaint

Labour MP Joe Mizzi yesterday raised a breach of privilege complaint in Parliament against Alice Peplow and her lawyer Ian Spiteri Beiley over a letter sent to him following a speech in Parliament last month.

Mr Mizzi said the issue was over licences granted by the Malta Maritime Authority. He said that Dr Spiteri Bailey, writing on behalf of Ms Peplow, had said that he had made allegations, insinuations and statements which were incorrect and detrimental to Ms Peplow. He had also urged him to exercise his parliamentary privilege prudently and, if he wished to persist in his allegations, he should repeat them outside the precincts of the House so that Ms Peplow could seek protection according to law.

Mr Mizzi said he had not made insinuations and he was responsible in his comments under the privilege of the House. This letter, he said, was an attempt to intimidate and prevent him from performing his parliamentary duties.

Tonio Borg, Leader of the House, said it was not a threat when somebody warned he was ready to go to court, and one could not have a situation where an ordinary person could not even ask an MP to repeat his statements outside the House.

Mr Mizzi said this was clearly a threatening letter, and he intended to speak more on this case later this week.

The Speaker, Anton Tabone, said he would rule at another sitting.