Opposition leader Simon Busuttil is urging the Prime Minister to sack Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia after he was caught “lying” about a shooting involving his chauffeur.
Dr Busuttil was reacting to “worrying discrepancies” between an official statement released by the Home Affairs Ministry on Wednesday night and photos published by the press.
The incident took place at around 9pm on Wednesday and the statement was released two hours later.
It claimed Dr Mallia’s driver, police constable Paul Sheehan, had fired two warning shots into the air after the Scottish driver threatened him with a glass bottle.
Yesterday, however, photos of expatriate Stephen Smith’s car revealed that shots were fired at his silver Vauxhall, hitting an indicator lamp, the roof and bumper at the rear.
Dr Busuttil yesterday raised concerns that the senior Cabinet minister, responsible for the police, may have deliberately attempted to misguide the public over what had occurred.
“The minister’s first reaction to this serious incident was to lie in an attempt to cover it up.
“He’s not fit for purpose. If Joseph Muscat does not take action, he will be showing weakness.
“He will be showing that he cannot control his Cabinet ministers and will, as a result, become an accomplice in what occurred,” Dr Busuttil said.
Describing the incident as “the latest in a series of controversies surrounding Dr Mallia”, Dr Busuttil said the events were a sign of the prevailing “anything goes” attitude and a reflection on both Dr Mallia and the government as a whole.
Anyone associated with the Labour government felt above the law.
“We do not live in the Wild West. This is not acceptable,” Dr Busuttil said, adding that the violent incident could in no way be justified.
Following the Prime Minister’s later statement saying that he was angry about the incident, the PN said he was showing weakness in the face of abuse of power and his only option was to sack the minister.
The sentiments were shared by Alternattiva Demokratika, which yesterday also called for Dr Mallia to resign or be sacked.
“It is simply unacceptable for the police minister’s handpicked staff to shoot at people. A serious Prime Minister should have demanded his immediate resignation. Anything less will mean that it is acceptable for ministers’ staff to behave as though they are untouchable,” AD deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo said.