A 22-year-old PN employee yesterday filed a police report against former Nationalist MPs Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Franco Debono claiming they accosted him outside a popular Rabat pastizzerija at 5am.
Nicky Azzopardi, a law student who works in the PN’s information office, claims he was punched in the face by an unidentified man, leaving him with broken glasses.
But Dr Pullicino Orlando, the chairman of the Malta Council for Science and Technology, and Dr Debono, Commissioner for Laws, deny being aggressive and say Mr Azzopardi tried to provoke them.
The incident happened outside Crystal Palace (Tas-Serkin), a Rabat pastizzerija famous for its 24-hour service, which is especially popular among partygoers looking for a late-night snack.
According to Mr Azzopardi, Dr Pullicino Orlando was boisterously mocking the Nationalist Party when he entered the establishment with a group of friends.
On his way out, Mr Azzopardi confronted Dr Pullicino Orlando about his behaviour.
“I just told him that things had really changed.
“I told him I was a friend of his son and had even attended a party at his house but did not remember him being rude in public and insulting to Nationalists,” Mr Azzopardi told Times of Malta.
Dr Pullicino Orlando, who denies mocking the PN since he was at the time accompanied by Nationalist friends, says Mr Azzopardi began insulting him and his family without being provoked.
According to Mr Azzopardi, Dr Pullicino Orlando’s friends also ganged up on him with Dr Debono, who had just arrived and was about to go after him, but was held back by his friends.
I told him I did not remember him being rude in public
At this point, a third man who has not yet been identified allegedly punched Mr Azzopardi in the face and the crowd dispersed.
The Nationalist Party issued a statement in the morning, expressing full solidarity with Mr Azzopardi who they claim was insulted and mocked by Dr Pullicino Orlando and Dr Debono as well as “beaten” by a third person.
Describing the behaviour as “scandalous”, the PN said the incident showed that Dr Pullicino Orlando and Dr Debono should not serve in the public roles given to them by the Labour Government.
“The PN is publicly insisting that the police should investigate the behaviour of Dr Pullicino Orlando and Dr Debono and bring to justice whoever committed aggression against Nicky Azzopardi.”
PN leader Simon Busuttil later issued a statement calling for the Prime Minister to appoint a public inquiry on the matter given that Dr Pullicino Orlando and Dr Debono were public officials.
However, Dr Debono and Dr Pullicino Orlando have given a different version of events.
Dr Pullicino Orlando issued a statement saying it was an “absolute lie” that he insulted Nationalists or Mr Azzopardi as anyone in the crowded establishment could attest.
“I went into this establishment to buy some coffee and cheesecakes for some friends I was with, many of whom were Nationalists. I was sipping my coffee on the pavement when Mr Azzopardi came up and started insulting me and my children. He was then pushed away by some bystanders.”
“It is obvious that his intention was to provoke a serious incident.”
Meanwhile, Dr Debono said he arrived on the scene to find Mr Azzopardi insulting Dr Pullicino Orlando and calling him a clown.
Mr Azzopardi was also threatening to record Dr Pullicino Orlando, he said. At this point, Dr Debono asked Mr Azzopardi to record him instead because there was a lot he wanted to get off his chest.
Dr Debono also stressed that he warned Dr Pullicino Orlando and others not to touch Mr Azzopardi and did not witness any physical attack on the young man.
Dr Pullicino Orlando confirmed this and told Times of Malta Mr Azzopardi was pushed away by a group of young people who were chanting Labour slogans.
Asked about his threat to record Dr Pullicino Orlando, Mr Azzopardi said: “When he became aggressive I asked him, ‘What shall I do, record you?’ And then Franco Debono started screeching and telling me to record him.”
The police did not reply to questions yesterday but sources said charges over the incident could be filed this week.
Dr Busuttil’s statement said the ex-MPs’ behaviour was scandalous and totally unacceptable in a democratic European society and as public officials they should set an example. The PN would not tolerate any intimidation of its employees and would defend the rights of anyone who is victimised, he said.
The Office of the Prime Minister said Joseph Muscat trusted the police to take any necessary measures. It criticised Dr Busuttil for lacking a sense of proportion when compared to his passivity on the oil procurement scandal.