I write on behalf of former Nationalist MP Franco Debono in reply to the story entitled ‘Schiavone back on PN list’ (The Sunday Times of Malta, November 23), where unnamed analysts are speculatively quoted as opining back then that Schiavone was banned from contesting the 2013 election to appease Debono.
No comment could be more untrue and unfounded since not only was Debono not contesting the 2013 election on the PN ticket, but also since such a ban came after repeated unheeded warnings to Schiavone over a number of months not to present himself as a candidate.
Schiavone had only his behaviour to blame, including among others making false allegations against a PN MP, which led the PN through periods of turmoil and unrest. Debono insisted that his name be cleared from the outset.
Moreover for the readers to reach their conclusions the complete picture should be furnished. Schiavone unsuccessfully contested the 1987, 1996 and 1998 elections. He skipped the 1992 elections.
A few days before the 2003 elections, it was reported that the party received some letter about Schiavone, and the party, then led by Eddie Fenech Adami, decided to ban Schiavone.
In 2003, the other candidates on the fifth district besides Debono were Helga Zahra, Ivan Schembri, Nadine Sciberras, Helen D’Amato, Ninu Zammit and Louis Galea. Mrs Schiavone contested instead of her husband.
Between 2003 and 2008, Schiavone was not active within the PN and skipped the 2008 elections where Debono was elected the youngest government MP, together with former minister Zammit.
With Galea and D’Amato, who lost their seats to Debono, out of the scene, the fifth district became much more attractive and it was at this time in 2008/2009 that Schiavone re-appeared, showing zeal to be approved as a candidate, and it was also at this time that he made a false, unfounded allegation to a person close to the then party leader and prime minister, and which the PN had repeatedly directed Schiavone to either substantiate or withdraw.
In 2010, Debono informed the police and repeatedly asked the party to take the necessary action to clear his name.
Thus, over a number of years, the Nationalist Party warned Schiavone not to present himself as a PN candidate, ordered him to either substantiate or withdraw the false allegation (and he did none) and eventually banned him from contesting.