Updated 11.25 p.m.
The debate between PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil and PL deputy leader Anġlu Farrugia was held this evening on Xarabank, without an audience in the studio.
At the opening of the debate, when questioned on cases of alleged corruption, Dr Busuttil replied instead by criticising the Labour Party for not having sent its deputy leader for the debate yesterday, when it was meant to be held. He described the decision as irresponsible.
Dr Farrugia said he had no problem facing Dr Busuttil, but the PL felt it was opportune to give airtime to Dr Debono. He criticised Dr Busuttil for not facing Dr Debono and also criticised PBS for what he said was its political slant.
The debate then settled down to current issues.
COURT SENTENCE
Dr Farrugia produced an Appeal Court's sentence which, he said, proved that a contractor had threatened a worker to vote PN, a situation which, he said amounted to corrupt practice. At the end of the debate Dr Busuttil said he would check about the matter.
PL NOT PROMISING TO REDUCE WATER TARIFFS
Later when pressed about the PL promises to reduce water and electricity rates, Dr Farrugia said the PL was promising to reduce electricity rates, not the water tariffs. Later, at the end of the programme, Dr Farrugia appeared to indicate that water tariffs would also be reduced because production costs for water would go down.
DIVORCE
On divorce, Dr Busuttil said he had not involved himself in the debate because of his personal issues, but he voted in favour of divorce in the referendum and had he been in parliament, he would have voted in favour of divorce. Dr Gonzi, he said, had voted against divorce in parliament as a matter of conscience, but he ensured that the will of the people was respected.
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