Updated - ACTA debate: Labour accused of double speak

The PN's Head of delegation in Brussels, Simon Busuttil this morning accused Labour of double speak with regards to the controversial Anti Counterfeit Trade Agreement (ACTA) debate.

Addressing a press conference at PN headquarters, giving details of his delegation's work at the European Parliament during the past year, Dr Busuttil said that while Labour MEP Edward Scicluna made sure to be at the front row of a public protest in Malta against ACTA, he never found the time to attend a single meeting on the subject held at the European Parliament.

"This is the real situation we have here. Labour is full of talk and takes every opportunity to appear in the media and at the same time shies away from the real work," Dr Busuttil said.

"While I followed and participated in every single meeting held about ACTA in the past seven months in Brussels, those who criticise us and issue press releases on our actions failed to attend just a single meeting," Dr Busuttil said.

The report presented by the PN delegation, which apart from Dr Busuttil also includes David Casa, lists all the meetings, initiatives and reports dealt with by the two MPs during the past year.

Dr Busuttil said that the details show that two PN MEPs have managed to produce much more work than Labour's four-member delegation.

SCICLUNA'S REACTION

In a reaction, Prof Scicluna said Dr Busuttil could not erase the u-turn he took over ACTA.

"He got it wrong from the first time he and I discussed it at Student House. He said he was for it because it saves Maltese jobs. I argued differently and in favour of  civil liberties. Now that ACTA is dead and buried. I would have thought Simon would be discussing more important current issues such as the looming Excessive Deficit Procedure and its repercussions on Maltese families.”