Speaker Anglu Farruga ruled today that Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi was prima facie in breach of privilege with comments he made about former Resources Minister George Pullicino.

The Speaker took his ruling after the minister yesterday refused to withdraw the comments he made on Monday.

Dr Mizzi yesterday said he was corroborating his statement that Mr Pullicino had been the subject of many warnings from businessmen. He tabled a number of document which, he said, backed his claim.

Today, Dr Farrugia said he was not satisfied with Dr Mizzi's collaboration of his statement and found Dr Mizzi prima facie in breach of privilege. He referred the case to the Privileges Committee for consideration.

Foreign Minister George Vella then asked the Speaker to decide whether it was in breach of privilege for Mr Pullicino to say he was politically cleaner than all of the MPs on the Opposite side put together.

Government whip Carmelo Abela called for Mr Pullicino to substantiate the claim.

Mr Pullicino said that why he was retaining the claim that he was politically clean, he was withdrawing the comparison because he respected the House.