Jean Claude Micallef believes the PN leader views him as his “bridge with the people”. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

TV presenter Jean-Claude Micallef, who aspires to be an MEP but is facing criminal charges of misappropriation of funds, believes he is a victim of the judicial system.

Mr Micallef thinks it would be “absurd” for the Nationalist Party to exclude him as an MEP candidate because of this pending court case since it is his fundamental right to be considered innocent until proven guilty.

“This is the PN which fought for liberty and human rights. If you think this is why the Commission did not select me then we are saying the PN is breaching fundamental human rights.”

His case has been going on for more than two-and-a-half years and it has been deferred around six times, pending judgment, he told The Sunday Times of Malta.

To further delay matters, the case was originally being heard by magistrate Antonio Mizzi who has now been appointed a judge. This means his case must be transferred to a magistrate, but this has not yet happened.

Mr Micallef recently took to Facebook to say he understood people’s disappointment after his name was not on the list of eight MEP candidates fielded so far by the PN.

His reaction caused critics to compare him to Franco Debono, the former Nationalist MP who brought down his government.

Mr Micallef had canvassed for Dr Debono on the fifth district in 2008 but today he does not take kindly to the comparison, which he labels “destructive criticism”.

He believes this is an important time for the party to distinguish between loyal people and bootlickers.

“I can never be a bootlicker but I have always been and will remain loyal,” he said.

“[Former Prime Minister] Lawrence Gonzi can say whether I am another Franco Debono because he knows Franco Debono and he knows Jean Claude Micallef,” he says.

His talk of loyalty and sacrifice, however, appears reminiscent of the discourse used by Dr Debono, though he sees clear differences.

“I ask the people who are saying these things today – where were they the day after the election result? I was not on the shoulders of Labourites or looking for my next job. I was on Net TV speaking to the people,” he said.

He said it is shameful to be subjected to “humiliation” and “ridicule” when he had to “sacrifice” his family’s staunchly Labour views to join the PN. He is the son of Manwel Micallef, head of One News and former deputy secretary of the General Workers’ Union.

“I love my party and the supporters of the party love me,” he said, underlining why he believes he would be a good MEP candidate.

He also thinks his case differs to that of MEP Claudette Abela Baldacchino who was slammed for remaining on Labour’s ticket despite facing charges of misappropriation of EU funds.

Lawrence Gonzi can say whether I am another Franco Debono

Mr Micallef believes the difference in the two cases lies in the fact that Ms Abela Baldacchino stands accused of defrauding the EU while he is accused of misappropriating funds from his own company, of which he is sole director.

The case involves cheques of some €5,000 he allegedly owes for the lease of the PN bar in Safi which were withheld after he claimed a breach of contract.

“If I am found guilty then I should get what I deserve. But I am not getting what I deserve because I am being prejudged,” he says.

Swearing his absolute loyalty to the party leadership, Mr Micallef said he is convinced leader Simon Busuttil would decide on his candidature in the best interests of the party and supporters.

“Simon is my leader and my friend. Simon views me as his bridge with the people,” he says.

Until a decision on his candidature is made, he said he remains open for the PN to indicate where he can serve the party best.