Councillors who are not loyal to the principle of integrity have no place in the Nationalist Party, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has warned.
“I’m not speaking about loyalty towards the party or any commission I can pocket, but towards integrity, and the good of the country,” Dr Gonzi said.
The PN leader stopped short of mentioning by name former Sliema mayor Nikki Dimech, who first admitted to police he had solicited a bribe but then retracted his admission and said he had confessed under duress.
Mr Dimech, who is pleading not guilty to bribery charges and reviling a public officer, was removed from his position after losing a vote of no confidence. He remains an independent Sliema councillor, however.
Dr Gonzi said he was pleased the PN, unlike the Labour Party, was bold enough to stand up to abuse and expose somebody from within who had been accused of corruption.
“Our tolerance towards abuse and corruption is zero and those who we felt should face judgment were set aside,” he said.
“This does not mean the party is passing judgment... But we expect whoever is accused of such abuse or corruption to step aside until the courts reach a decision,” he added.
Dr Gonzi was yesterday closing a seminar on local councils where a document listing 15 objectives was released as part of the PN’s vision towards social inclusion at every level within the locality, where integrity and councillors’ efficiency was at the core.
The recent investigations and accusations of fraud and misappropriation hounding councillors in a number of localities has dented people’s faith in local councils, but Dr Gonzi believes the focus should be on the councils’ 16 years of success. Asked what could be done to reverse people’s negative perceptions, Dr Gonzi said the media could help by “keeping a strong position against those accused of corruption and abuse”, while bringing out the good of those who were making a valid contribution.