The Prime Minister yesterday hinted that heads will roll over the shooting incident involving Manuel Mallia’s driver, saying he would act “without fear or favour” when he receives the findings of the inquiry into the affair.
Joseph Muscat is expected to receive the inquiry report today, two weeks after appointing three retired judges to probe allegations of an attempted cover-up. He has promised to publish the report.
Addressing supporters at the Marsa Labour Party club yesterday, Dr Muscat acknowledged that people expected better from the government.
“This is not a stubborn government... we listen and act and I will be deciding without fear or favour in the country’s best interest,” Dr Muscat said with reference to the shooting incident.
But Labour Party sources yesterday interpreted Dr Muscat’s words and those of his two deputies, Louis Grech and Toni Abela, as preparing the ground for Dr Mallia’s removal as Home Affairs Minister.
Dr Mallia has defied calls for his resignation, which culminated in the hero’s welcome given to him by supporters under the tent in St George’s Square as part of the ‘Government that listens’ events last week.
The sources said the Prime Minister was likely to use the inquiry findings to demand the resignation of Dr Mallia and Acting Police Commissioner Ray Zammit.
A forewarning of what may happen was given yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister Louis Grech, who for the first time in many months spoke ahead of the Prime Minister during the customary Sunday political meetings. The sources interpreted this as a show of unity and a move to strengthen Dr Muscat’s hand.
In a short but pointed speech Mr Grech insisted the Prime Minister never shirkedthe shouldering of political responsibility. “Decisions that have to be taken will be taken... as tough as they may be.”
And writing in Maltese language newspaper Illum, Labour deputy leader Toni Abela yesterday said he would not be surprised if “a head or two rolled” after the inquiry.
Mr Grech dwelt on the Prime Minister’s qualities as a leader, including Dr Muscat’s admission in an interview with The Sunday Times of Malta that he should have ordered the inquiry earlier.
“This government does not have a monopoly on the truth and it takes character to make an admission like the Prime Minister did,” Mr Grech said, insisting the Opposition was in no position to preach about righteousness.
Dr Abela dedicated his weekly article in Illum to the shooting incident, which he said was a reminder that still more had to be done to ensure transparency.
He said the “fear of getting caught” was the bane of every public administration.
“The fear of getting caught forces us to do things that are cause for regret. In the panic to hide the truth more mistakes are perpetrated.”
On November 19, Paul Sheehan, the Home Affairs Minister’s security driver was involved in an altercation with Stephen Smith who crashed into the ministerial car while this was parked in Gżira.
Mr Sheehan drew a gun and fired at least two shots that hit Mr Smith’s car as he tried to escape. A government statement on the night of the incident spoke of two “warning shots” being fired “in the air”.
The statement was only corrected the following morning when Dr Mallia admitted that the shots had hit the car.
The Opposition cried foul, accusing the government of an attempted cover-up after police officers had also tampered with the scene of the crime when Mr Smith’s car was moved before the arrival of the duty magistrate. The PN called for Dr Mallia’s resignation.
The Prime Minister had expressed disgust at what happened but only decided on a separate inquiry to probe the cover-up claims two days after the incident. Opposition leader Simon Busuttil had refused an invitation to appoint someone to head the inquiry.
Dr Muscat then tasked three retired judges – Alberto Magri, Joseph Camilleri and Philip Sciberras – to establish the facts of the incident, including the communication chain that led to the untrue statement.
The inquiry board was given two weeks, which are up today.
kurt.sansone@timesofmalta.com