Labour MP George Vella, co-sponsor of the motion, denied that this was a case of political opportunism and was surprised by the way the Prime Minister had stooped so low in attacking the opposition.

The motion was about parliamentary accountability and scrutiny. The Nationalist government’s disrespectful attitude to Parliament was evident by the way it had increased ministerial honoraria without making it public. Now, even a government MP has spoken on how Mr Cachia Caruana had sidelined parliamentary norms.

Mr Cachia Caruana thought he was untouchable. He was feared by ministers and he used journalists for his own attacks. It was no wonder that the government was mounting a strong defence for Mr Cachia Caruana. This was a person who was arrogant and looked down on the members of the opposition.

Mr Cachia Caruana claimed to be acting on instructions from the government, but in many cases it was the Prime Minister who was obliged to follow his instructions.

Dr Vella criticised Mr Cachia Caruana for not holding regular meetings with Parliament and for making proposals and commitments to foreigners before they were made to the government or to Parliament. Wikileaks also revealed that Mr Cachia Caruana was “awaiting Washington’s guidance on the matter” and that “Washington was still encouraging him to proceed with his plan of action”

The Opposition, Dr Vella said, was not stupid and knew how to read English. It was clear that Mr Cachia Caruana was the originator, proposer and executioner of a plan to take Malta back in PfP in 2004 behind Parliament’s back.

Concluding, Dr Vella said a civil servant – however politically powerful – should not decide national policy, the more so on foreign and security matters.