Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis declined to answer questions by Antoine Borg (PN) and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil on media reports that Bank of Valletta had favoured Air Malta with a guarantee to help it pull out of financial difficulties.

The minister availed himself of Speaker Anġlu Farrugia’s observation that Dr Borg’s supplementary question had nothing to do with the subject matter of the original question, and it was up to the minister whether to answer or not.

When Dr Borg basically repeated his question, Dr Farrugia said questions could not be repeated. He would only go so far as to say that Dr Borg was factually incorrect in quoting the media reports.

Dr Busuttil said this was the first opportunity for Parliament to discuss an issue of national importance that “people out there” were asking about.

The minister said the article mentioned by Dr Borg did not mention guarantees but exposure. If anything, the relationship between BOV and Air Malta was now even stronger.

Dr Busuttil objected to the word “irresponsible” directed by the minister to Dr Borg.