Gozitan MP Justyne Caruana hit out at her critics over her recent use of an armed forces Alouette helicopter to cross from Gozo to Malta to catch a flight to Marseille, where she was scheduled to attend a meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean.

Speaking during the adjournment, she said the go-ahead to travel abroad – even on government business – was given by the party whip. The decision was taken at the eleventh hour and there was no way she would have made the flight to France without the intervention of the Office of the Prime Minister so she could make use of the helicopter.

Let me tell you, I was scared stiff

Visibly emotional, she rubbished reports that she had not presented any papers at the conference by laying on the Table of the House all pertinent documents, including speeches and reports which she had written but which were read by third parties because she did not arrive in time.

“Let there be no mistake, when we MPs go abroad we do not go on holiday,” the 39-year-old mother of two said, adding it was hard enough making personal and family arrangements. She said she did not want to give the impression that her helicopter flight was not safe, “but let me tell you I was scared stiff”, she said, half-smiling.

When the green light for her to attend the Marseille conference was given, it was then the parliamentary Office of the Clerk’s turn to spring into action, booking her flight and hotel accommodation. The digital ticket arrived before she left home but she was informed of the hotel booking on arrival in Malta.

Dr Caruana said this was not the first time she had been attacked, saying she had received threatening SMSs from a person “who now sits in front of me”.

Also, she said, this was not the first time that the AFM helicopter had been used in connection with non-military activities, such as to ferry former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to a wedding, an opera recital and a christening ceremony in Żebbuġ, Gozo. In 2004, the helicopter had brought him from Gozo to Malta to take part in the L-Istrina charity show.

Other people and organisations that had used the AFM helicopter were the former home affairs, environment and Gozo ministers, members of Din l-Art Ħelwa, dancers and even two people who were going hunting in Egypt.

She laid into maltarightnow.com for having interpreted her as saying that the carriage of sick people between the two islands by helicopter was money down the drain.

Dr Caruana also referred to the accusation of Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil, that she had abused her power and broken the code of ethics. She quoted him saying that she had used public money for personal use.

Dr Caruana referred Dr Busuttil to answers to parliamentary questions in the last legislature that had assured her that helicopter flights between Malta and Gozo “did not cost anything”.

She said if she was brought before any commission to answer for her actions, all those who had made use of the AFM helicopter, at any time, would end up before the same commission.

Concluding, Dr Caruana asked for the protection of the chair from such accusations, especially those of bloggers.