The Labour Party has admitted welcoming big business into its “movement” amid allegations of close ties with contractors made by axed former deputy leader Anġlu Farrugia, who was yesterday applauded by the Prime Minister as “courageous”.
The movement we are building is a coalition of workers and employers
“We respect Dr Farrugia’s opinions and thank him once again for his contribution,” a Labour spokesman said when asked to react to the interview in The Sunday Times, where Dr Farrugia described his sacking last December as “political murder”.
Dr Farrugia also expressed his unease that “several people who wield power in the country” were getting too close to Labour.
Without reacting to Dr Farrugia’s claim that leader Joseph Muscat had been dishonest with him, the spokesman responded to questions raised about the party’s relationship with big business, without denying its close ties.
“The movement we are building is a coalition of workers and employers. Businessmen, even the bigger ones, feel betrayed by GonziPN and want a level playing field. They tell us how GonziPN gave the country to a handful of conglomerates,” the spokesman said, adding that “the proof” of this emerged in another newspaper published on Sunday.
The spokesman was referring to a story claiming that a company donated €350,000 to the PN’s campaign over and above €1 million in bad debts due by the party. The firm, MFCC, last night categorically denied the claim.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday applauded Dr Farrugia and accused Dr Muscat of caring only about his “clique”.
Calling Dr Farrugia a “loyal political adversary” with whom he never agreed, Dr Gonzi said he had exposed Labour’s mask.
He asked whether the PL’ss ties with contractors were linked to the party’s proposals on the planning authority or its plan to build a power station the country did not need.
“Are these the same contractors who accompanied Muscat to SmartCity? Is this why Muscat is suddenly in favour of SmartCity?”
Addressing a mass meeting in Dr Farrugia’s hometown, Mosta, Dr Gonzi said he admired the courage with which the former deputy leader was fighting injustice, lies and lack of values.
“It is clear that Anġlu loves his party... the way he was treated exposes the arrogance of he whose only aim is to become the youngest Prime Minister of Malta,” said Dr Gonzi.
He said Labour’s slogan Malta for All did not apply to everyone but just the leader’s “clique”.
“It only applies for the clique of the fourth floor. And I know what I’m saying,” said Dr Gonzi.
Referring to Dr Farrugia’s description of his resignation as “political murder”, Dr Gonzi said: “This is what Muscat did to a friend in Opposition. Imagine what he will do to you, to us, if we dare to give him power.”
“Unfortunately for Anġlu, now it is too late. But for us, it is not. We have until March 9. We are still in time,” he said.