Labour calls on JPO to explain his comments on website

The Labour Party has called on Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando to explain comments he posted on the timesofmalta.com website last week in connection with the Mistra controversy.

While lamenting that he was not being given space to defend himself, Dr Pullicino Orlando wrote last Monday that he was prepared to speak out once the police investigations confirmed that he did nothing wrong. In a statement, the MLP said that the Nationalist MP's comments were serious and unacceptable since they put pressure on the police.

It said he should also say how he knew that the PN and himself would be exonerated.

Dr Pullicino Orlando's comments jarred even more in light of Dr Gonzi's statement that it would be irresponsible to comment while the police were still carrying out their investigations.

The MLP called on Dr Gonzi and Nationalist Party general secretary Joe Saliba to say whether they agreed with Dr Pullicino Orlando's comments.

Dr Pullicino Orlando has been in the headlines since March 1 in connection with the proposed development of a disco on land at Mistra belonging to him.