Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said amid repeated applause today that he was prepared to continue to serve, and he thanked PN supporters for their support as he faces a censure motion on Wednesday.
Speaking in a voice broken with emotion at the PN general council this morning, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said: "I remain at your disposal, thank you for your support, I will remain prepared and determined to give my energy for the good of the country."
Addressing himself to the prime minister, he added:"You appointed me prime minister and I will continue to serve you and the people in their best interest."
Dr Mifsud Bonnici asked his listeners whether there could be something more serious than to accuse an innocent man of a serious crime. That, he said, was what was happening in the cases of the claims being made against Richard Cachia Caruana, who is also facing a censure motion.
"Has anything changed in the Labour Party in the past 25 years?" Dr Mifsud Bonnici said. As the crowd answered 'no' he added - "Where is Peter Paul Busuttil, who was also unjustly accused?".
His appeal, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said, was for everyone to beware of this strategy of levelling charges against people who had worked for their country. He had seen Mr Cachia Caruana work for his country over 25 years, mostly recently over the issue of illegal immigration. He was doing so not for the Nationalists, but the whole country, he said.
The minister said he was calling on supporters to take heart. The PN was a Christian Democratic party built on values. It always stood up for the innocent and those who needed help. Such attacks would only make it stronger.
"Thank you for your support and solidarity and rest assured that under this true gentleman, Lawrence Gonzi, who is doing so much good despite problems never before encountered by other prime ministers, we can prepare for victory," Dr Mifsud Bonnici said to another standing ovation.
PN General Secretary Paul Borg Olivier said the party was confident in the integrity of Dr Mifsud Bonnici. He too viewed the censure motion against him as immoral and a case of psychological violence, Dr Borg Olivier said. The PL, he said, had over the past few years put several individuals in its sights. "Next time it could be you" he said.