The Health Minister and the Opposition leader traded insults during question time in Parliament this evening with the minister saying Simon Busuttil should be ashamed of himself for attacking the whistleblower in the alleged 'works for votes' scandal.

Dr Busuttil had asked what was Alex Sciberras' role in the inquiry on the stability of the concrete at Mater Dei Hospital, being led by Dr Sciberras's father, Judge Philip Sciberras.

Dr Mizzi said Dr Sciberras was appointed by the government to offer legal support to the Mater Dei inquiry after this was requested.

He said Dr Sciberras was not the company secretary of the Foundation for Medical Services as had been reported.

He said he had been appointed secretary for one sitting and resigned immediately after.

The sitting turned rowdy as the question was being asked and answered with Dr Mizzi attacking Dr Busuttil for filing his judicial process against the whistleblower and saying Dr Busuttil that he should be ashamed of himself.

Dr Mizzi also accused Dr Busuttil of trying to undermine the credibility of the inquiry.

The minister asked if the Opposition, when in government, had any indication of the shoddy material used, citing PN MP Tonio Fenech's reported lack of surprise at the fact that the concrete could not withstand additional stories.

He said that the Opposition was intent on discrediting the inquiry to cover up the fact that the material used was faulty. "Shame on you," he told Dr Busuttil.

Dr Busuttil retorted that he would be ashamed if he was paying his wife €13,000 a month.