The House Privileges Committee this evening met briefly to continue to consider the breach of privilege complaint brought by the Prime Minister against the Leader of the Opposition.

Dr Muscat had protested after Dr Busuttil claimed that the government had interfered in the John Dalli investigation by the police.

Dr Busuttil had refused to retract his comments, arguing that they were borne  out by a series of events.

At the opening of the meeting, the two sides argued about procedure and whether the prime minister had other witnesses to present. The Opposition said that the agreement had been that the Leader of the Opposition was to give evidence only after the Government side had exhausted its witnesses. Dr Chris Said (PN) said that since the accusations against the Leader of the Opposition were of a criminal nature, the witnesses had to be exhausted before Dr Busuttil would be in a position to testify.
 
The Speaker, Anglu Farrugia, asked the Government side if they were in a position to declare that it had no more witnesses. Minister Louis Grech declined, and Labour MP Carmelo Ablea said  witnesses could be called at any stage.

Dr Farrugia said that once Dr Muscat had not notified the committee of any witnesses, no more witnesses would be presented. However he could opt to question Opposition witnesses.

The sitting was suspended for the Leader of the Opposition to give evidence in another sitting.