Any questions on the decision not to prosecute former European Commissioner John Dalli should be made to the Police Commissioner not him, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said yesterday.
Dr Muscat made the statement in the wake of the controversy sparked by the Speaker’s ruling which prompted Opposition MPs to storm out of Parliament on Tuesday evening.
Speaker Anġlu Farrugia said it appeared prima facie that Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil committed a breach of privilege when he said that the Prime Minister had interfered in police investigations into bribery allegations that led Mr Dalli to resign as European commissioner last year.
Dr Busuttil based his claim on testimony given in court by former Police Commissioner John Rizzo who, last week, said that there was enough evidence to arraign Mr Dalli. He also said he had the backing of the Attorney General.
Mr Rizzo’s successor, Peter Paul Zammit, insists there is not enough proof to arraign Mr Dalli and secure guilt without reasonable doubt, as required by law and the courts.
Mr Zammit said the Attorney General “does not tell you what to do” and that, ultimately, the decision rested with the Police Commissioner.
Dr Busuttil said on Tuesday that the evidence at hand indicated that the only logical conclusion was that the case against Mr Dalli was not pursued due to political interference.
Probed by the media while visiting Freshers’ Week at the University yesterday, the Prime Minister reiterated that Dr Busuttil’s claims were unfounded.
Asked by Times of Malta to say on what grounds had Mr Zammit decided to go back on the decision taken by his predecessor, Dr Muscat said the question should be put to Mr Zammit.
He noted that Mr Zammit made a clear declaration that there was no irrefutable evidence against Mr Dalli. The Prime Minister said he saw no reason to revoke Mr Dalli’s appointment as a consultant on the Mater Dei Hospital reform, saying “there is no case against him”.
Dr Muscat spoke about the Government’s commitment to invest in tertiary education, mainly in better facilities and to improve conditions for both staff and students.