Prominent Nationalists who were critical about the handling of the honoraria issue welcomed the Prime Minister’s apology on Sunday, where he took sole and full responsibility for a “series of mistakes”.
The apology came a week after the government defeated a Labour Party motion in Parliament which had called the Cabinet “insensitive, arbitrary and non-transparent”.
The motion dealt with the way generous raises were awarded to ministers, who, among other things, were allowed to keep their MP’s honorarium over and above their ministerial salary.
Former PN president Frank Portelli, who had called the saga a great error of judgment that should be rectified before it haunts the PN at the next election, was perhaps, the most satisfied with the apology.
“It takes true grit to admit to making a mistake. To assume full responsibility and publicly apologise takes fortitude. I personally cannot ask for anything else,” he said, adding: “After all we elected a Prime Minister – not an infallible Pope.”
MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando – who had been seriously thinking of voting with the Labour Party on the motion, said this was a positive step.
“The situation led to disapproval from the public. This is what worried me. I hope it is now ‘case closed’. This has caused quite a bit of harm to the party. I hope we will be able to move on now.”
Asked if the apology should be met with a refund, Dr Pullicino Orlando said: “I’ll leave that completely in the Prime Minister’s hands. The fact that he apologised was already a positive step in the right direction.”
Dr Pullicino Orlando was not present for the council meeting, but said this was not because he snubbed the event.
“It was Father’s Day so I was looking forward to spending some time with my family.”
MP Jesmond Mugliett, who also failed to attend the council, said this was not the first time he was absent. “I prefer other forums, such as the parliamentary group, where I can make myself heard in a more effective way and do my best to be active.”
Asked about Dr Gonzi’s apology, Mr Mugliett said it is the public who will decide if this case is closed or not.
“I’ve made my points,” he said, referring to the statement he made to the press before voting with his government in Parliament two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, MP Jean Pierre Farrugia, who had been particularly outspoken about the mishandled issue said: “I appreciated Dr Gonzi’s humility but regret that he had to shoulder it all by himself.”
At the general council, Dr Farrugia spoke around an hour before the Prime Minister and made reference to this issue.
He said the Prime Minister had shown outstanding capabilities in offering solutions for the economic crisis, but was left alone to carry the burden of looking insensitive with regard to the Cabinet pay rises.
“And at the end of the day, a leader’s credibility depends on his ability to convince.”
Meanwhile, the Labour Party pointed out that while Dr Gonzi apologised, he was still going to keep his weekly increase of €500, over and above his original pay.
Questions sent to the Office of the Prime Minister about whether there would be any change to the status quo remained unanswered.