Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said today that he welcomed Michael Falzon's unconditional apology over his secret Swiss bank account and his breach of public trust.

"Mr Falzon's gesture acknowledges the highest standards that are expected of people holding public office or political positions. Naturally, Mr Falzon’s suspension from the Nationalist Party will remain in force until the whole matter is cleared up, but I am sure the party structures will take his apology well into account in reaching their conclusions.

"In the meantime, I call on Mr Falzon and Mr (Ninu) Zammit to immediately provide all the relevant facts to allow the party structures to initiate their work without delay," Dr Busuttil said.

"The Nationalist Party has always striven for the highest possible standards for those holding public office or political positions but the same cannot be said of the Labour Party.

"Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has, in fact, repeatedly sent out the message that instead of raising standards, he wishes to see exceptions made to the rules we already have in place. The list is endless but includes: the Ministerial Code of Ethics; Ministers’ behaviour in relation to their jobs, income and wealth; the engagement of MPs in public entities; public procurement; environment laws; public sector employment; the independence of the civil service and most recently, the blatant misuse of taxpayers' money in the Cafe Premier scandal under the personal direction of the Prime Minister himself."

Dr Busuttil said that rather than 'encouraging people to break the rules and criticising those who want to uphold them,' it was time for Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to commit himself to the higher standards that the Maltese electorate desire and has a right to.

"He can start by immediately agreeing to debate in Parliament the bill to establish the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in Public Life. On behalf of the Opposition, I had tabled a motion initiating this process more than a year ago, insisting on its speedy enactment. Yet, this initiative is still languishing in the indifference of a Labour Government that does not value high standards in public office.

See Michael falzon's statement at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150225/local/former-minister-makes-unconditional-apology-for-undeclared-swiss-account.557603