The Speaker, Anġlu Farrugia, this evening took umbrage at part of the editorial of yesterday's The Sunday Times of Malta titled “One Year On” and asked the editor to withdraw his allegation that “Dr Muscat and Labour-appointed Speaker went out of their way to ensure he (Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco) would not be impeached before he reaches retirement age in the summer.”
Dr Farrugia said that this was a direct attack on the land’s highest institution and on him in particular, adding that this was a blatant lie which tarnished his integrity.
He recalled that contrary to other Speakers since Independence, he was the only president of the House to declare that he was not a member of any political party any more.
Government whip Carmelo Abela also said that he had been instructed by the Prime Minister to deny that he (Dr Muscat) had talked to Dr Farrugia about the matter and expected the STOM editor to withdraw his allegation.