Nationalist Party MP Jason Azzopardi is seeking to overturn a Speaker’s ruling which found that a tweet of his had breached parliamentary privilege.
In a motion filed on Friday, Dr Azzopardi argues that a ruling by speaker Anġlu Farrugia raises serious concerns about freedom of expression.
“It is unconscionable for the Speaker to censure what MPs say outside of the House,” Dr Azzopardi said, noting that anyone who felt defamed by the tweet had legal remedies available to them.
Dr Azzopardi’s motion is a reaction to a ruling passed on Wednesday, when the PN MP was ordered to apologise to Economy Minister Chris Cardona and retract a tweet he posted earlier this week.
The tweet, which was posted after a rowdy parliamentary sitting during which Dr Cardona repeatedly interrupted PN MP Simon Busuttil, read: “Tonight you could all see how someone corrupt who rubs shoulders with killers, tries to silence those who expose his wrongdoing”.
Illejla stajtu taraw kif igib ruhu l-korrott u dak li jiekol il-kirxa mal-qattiela: ma jhalliex jitkellem lil min jikxef il-gideb u l-hazen tieghu.
— Jason Azzopardi (@AzzopardiJason) October 10, 2018
Speaker Anġlu Farrugia ruled that it was clear the tweet was about Dr Cardona, was derogatory and a breach of parliamentary privilege.
Dr Azzopardi replied that he would be contesting the ruling both in parliament and in court if needed.
In his parliamentary motion, Dr Azzopardi argued that he was simply repeating what had been reported in the international media about Dr Cardona’s alleged links to one of the men accused of murdering journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Dr Azzopardi argued that MPs should not be held responsible if fellow parliamentarians saw a reflection of themselves in written words.
“If the hat fits, wear it,” the PN MP said. “Evidently Dr Cardona chose to wear this hat”.