'Dr Muscat was irresponsible to call me bishop' - Edwin Vassallo

Nationalist MP Edwin Vassallo said in parliament this evening that Opposition leader Joseph Muscat was irresponsible to have called him 'bishop' when speaking at a political conference yesterday.

Dr Muscat called Mr Vassallo 'bishop Edwin Vassallo' twice when he reacted to remarks by the Nationalist MP that the Opposition's censure motion against the minister of home affairs was immoral and amounted to psychological violence.

Speaking on the adjournment this evening, Mr Vassallo said the leader of the opposition could disagree with him, ridicule him even, but it was irresponsible to attribute to him a title of the Church.

Dr Muscat should respect the dignity of his high political office and not slip in the way he had.

If Dr Muscat, while still Opposition leader, could manifest his disagreement or anger by going so low, one could only imagine what would happen in an electoral campaign or when matters were more serious.

Dr Muscat's actions, Mr Vassallo said, did not reflect professionalism. He could have used proper political language and, as a self-proclaimed liberal, he should accept different points of view.