Tardy Muscat keeps Gonzi waiting

Labour Party leader Joseph Muscat admits he is not a stickler for protocol but yesterday he arrived a full 30 minutes late to record the final debate with Nationalist Party leader Lawrence Gonzi.

The debate at the PBS studios in Guardamangia was scheduled to start at 1 p.m. but it only started some 45 minutes later.

Dr Gonzi turned up five minutes before the scheduled time but had to be escorted to the boardroom upstairs to wait for the Opposition Leader. At one point Dr Gonzi's aide was heard complaining to the Broadcasting Authority chairman that the Prime Minister did not have the whole afternoon at his disposal.

Dr Muscat finally made an appearance at 1.30 p.m., emerging from his car with jacket in hand.

To add insult to injury, one of his aides said there was "no particular reason for the delay".

Dr Gonzi had another appointment at 2.30 p.m. in Bulebel at which he arrived 30 minutes late, blaming the delay on Dr Muscat's tardiness.