Speaker Anglu Farrugia said today he was investigating an incident which happened last night when a Nationalist MP claimed to have been 'threatened' by a Labour MP.

Nationalist MP Clyde Puli told Times of Malta today that Labour MP Joe Farrugia lost his temper and directed rude and threatening comments at him last night as the Opposition requested a series of votes on a new law to regulate building development. The votes meant that the sitting continued into the early hours of the morning.

Mr Puli said he and Mr Farrugia (known as Il-Farell) met on the bridge which links the parliamentary chamber to the administrative offices.

“We were out on the bridge that separates the two sections of the parliament building when Mr Farrugia spoke to me in a tone that was aggressive and his body language was threatening,” Mr Puli said, adding that the comments were unprovoked.

Among other things, Mr Puli said, the Labour MP told him to get out of his sight as he  knew “how far I will go”. 

Mr Puli immediately raised the matter in the Chamber and sought the protection of the Speaker.

The Speaker questioned Mr Farrugia, who said he had been joking. 

Repeated attempts to reach Mr Farrrugia for a comment were unsuccessful.

The Speaker said he was seeking to establish the facts and would be meeting the whips of the two parliamentary groups.