The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Anġlu Farrugia, has taken umbrage at part of the editorial in The Sunday Times of Malta titled ‘One Year On’.

He has asked the editor to withdraw his allegation, by next Sunday, that “[Prime Minister] Dr Muscat and the Labour-appointed Speaker went out of their way to ensure he [Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco] would not be impeached before he reaches retirement age in the summer”.

Dr Farrugia said this was a direct attack on the land’s highest institution and on him in particular, adding that it was a blatant lie which tarnished his integrity.

He recalled that contrary to other Speakers since Independence, he was the only Speaker to declare that he was no longer a member of any political party.

Government Whip Carmelo Abela said that he had been instructed by the Prime Minister to deny that he (Dr Muscat) had talked to Dr Farrugia about the matter. Dr Muscat expected the editor to withdraw his allegation, he said.