The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Michael Frendo said yesterday he would refer the matter to the Police Commissioner to investigate the allegations of hacking of e-mails between Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat and a third party (RTK journalist Sabrina Agius).

The Chair does not have the necessary tools to conduct a preliminary investigation

Giving a ruling to a breach of privilege complaint raised by Dr Muscat last month, Dr Frendo said such allegations were undoubtedly serious. However, the Chair did not have the necessary tools to conduct a preliminary investigation into criminal allegations such as those made by Dr Muscat.

Dr Frendo said that in line with a similar case in the House of Commons involving the alleged hacking of mobile phone conversations, the Chair was asking the Commissioner of Police to investigate Dr Muscat’s allegations and report to him to enable him to determine whether there was a prima facie breach of privilege.

Meanwhile, Dr Frendo delivered another ruling, requested by opposition whip Joe Mizzi, alleging a breach of privilege when Net TV reporter and cameraman asked him questions and filmed within parliamentary premises without the necessary authority.

The Chair ruled there were enough elements that indicated a prima facie breach of privilege and referred the case to the Standing Committee on privileges .

The standing orders, he said, made no distinction on whether the acts were committed within or outside the parliamentary building as long as the MP was either going to or leaving Parliament.