PN executive president Marthese Portelli this evening returned a letter sent by MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando saying it was not written on the lines agreed upon during yesterday's meeting of the executive, and asked him to revise it.
In his letter, Dr Pullicino Orlando noted which of his accusations against Richard Cachia Caruana could be corroborated by which witness he was calling to give evidence.
He also called on the party to discourage the presence of certain individuals who were gathered in front of the headquarters yesterday when it met to discuss the matter.
But Dr Portelli immediately wrote back to Dr Pullicino Orlando saying that not only had the letter been sent three hours after the time agreed upon, it did not satisfy the criteria agreed upon in a motion approved during yesterday's meeting.
The motion clearly stated, she said, that by noon on Friday, Dr Pullicino Orlando had to send her the accusations against Mr Cachia Caruana explained clearly and in enough detail for him to be able to formulate his defence, as well as a list of witnesses he planned to call for each of the accusations with an explanation of what they would be requested to give evidence upon.
Dr Pullicino Orlando’s e-mail, Dr Portelli said, did nothing of the sort. It did not have a detailed explanation of what each witness would be requested to give evidence upon and the accusations against Mr Cachia Caruana were not explained clearly and in enough detail for him to be able to formulate his defence.
She said she was returning Dr Pullicino Orlando's e-mail calling him to revise it and present it the way he was supposed to by 10 a.m. tomorrow.
In his letter, Dr Pullicino Orlando wrote:
“I agreed to indicate which witnesses will be corroborating the accusations I made with respect to Mr Cachia Caruana. You will recall that the accusations, which I strongly feel should result in Mr Cachia Caruana's expulsion from the Nationalist Party, are as follows:
1. Colluding with high ranking members of the Labour administration led by Dr. Alfred Sant between 1996 and 1998 in an attempt at furthering his personal interests whilst putting his colleagues in the Nationalist administration led by Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami between 1987 and 1996 in a bad light.
2. Colluding with high ranking officials representing foreign states in a clear attempt at bypassing the Nationalist Party parliamentary group and the Maltese Parliament.
3. Fomenting the unrest which has led to the difficulties being faced by our leader, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, both within our party and in Parliament.
Mr John Rizzo can corroborate the third accusation
Mr John Dalli can corroborate the third accusation
Mr Gordon Pisani can corroborate the third accusation
Mr Karmenu Vella can corroborate the first accusation and,
Mr Joe Mizzi can corroborate the first accusation.
I will obviously be giving a presentation and presenting evidence in relation to the abovementioned three points as well.
May I suggest that, for the forthcoming meeting, it would be better for our image if we discouraged the presence of certain individuals who were gathered in front of our headquarters yesterday.
I will be sending a copy of this letter to the press for the reason I mentioned last Wednesday."