‘Mess’ created by Debono is unbecoming – Fenech Adami

Former Prime Minister and President Eddie Fenech Adami yesterday criticised Nationalist backbencher Franco Debono, saying he was “creating a mess” at a very delicate time for the country.

Contacted yesterday in the wake of a vote of no confidence in Transport Minister Austin Gatt, which was only defeated by the Speaker’s casting vote, Dr Fenech Adami said: “I think it is most unfair on the Prime Minister, who has been delivering, and delivering as best he can and with results. Creating a mess out of the situation is not something I approve of. I dislike it and think it is really unbecoming to create such a situation,” he said.

Dr Fenech Adami added: “It’s what Franco Debono is all about... I disapprove completely, I disapprove of what he is talking about and I disapprove of how he is behaving.”

He also described Dr Debono’s comment, that the national broadcaster was in a worse situation than the 1980s, as “ completely out of this world”.

The former President confirmed he had had a meeting with Dr Debono last week before Friday’s vote, after the backbencher revealed the encounter on the PBS discussion programme Dissett yesterday evening.

“I don’t think I should be discussing my meetings in public but I did meet him,” he said.

Asked about the contents of the meeting, Dr Fenech Adami said: “We obviously did not speak about the moon and the stars, but about matters that are pertinent to recent days.” However, he insisted on keeping the contents of the meeting private.

Dr Debono last night told Dissett presenter Reno Bugeja he had not taken Dr Fenech Adami’s advice. When questioned on this point, Dr Fenech Adami said: “That’s his business.”

Looking ahead, Dr Fenech Adami said although the government was facing an unhappy situation, the Prime Minister had proved he could manage the situation.

“I think the government has to carry on doing the work it’s been doing with very effective results, and think one has to go along and deal with the situation as it evolves. I don’t think now is the right moment to disturb the progress that is being made.”