The Opposition accused the government of rubbing salt into a wound this evening when it objected to the presentation of the first reading of a private member's bill that would introduce the possibility of retrial in cases of miscarriage of justice.
At the start of this evening's parliamentary sitting, Opposition whip David Agius said the Opposition wanted to move the first reading of the bill that would empower the Appeals Court the power to revisit cases where it was proven that an injustice would have been made.
The Bill was inspired by the case of Emanuel Camilleri, who spent 397 days in jail on false accusations, later recanted, that he molested his daughter.
The Speaker was asked to rule whether a first reading could be moved without government consent.
The House was suspended for over an hour, after which the Speaker ruled that it was the government's prerogative to set the agenda of the House. He however appealed for common sense.
Mario de Marco (PN) also appealed for common sense, saying that in dragging its feet on a matter such as this, the government was perpetuating injustices.
Justice Minister Owen Bonnici rejected the claim and pointed out that the Constitutional Court is set to rule on September 20 on the Camilleri case and it would be wise to await that decision.
In a statement, the PN said the government's objections to the first reading confirmed how this was a government of injustices. As a result, whoever was suffering an injustice would continue to suffer.