Prime Minister Joseph Muscat does not agree with branding MEPs who speak up against the government as traitors but feels they must put up with the people’s judgement.

“I don’t say who did or did not betray [Malta], I don’t agree with using this terminology. But, I do say that we all have to stand up to be scrutinised by the public. I myself have been accused of many things by many… If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen,” he said.

"I myself have been accused of many things by many… If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.”- Joseph Muscat

Social media has in recent days been rife with comments referring to Nationalist MEPs as “traitors” after they addressed a debate in the European Parliament over the rule of law in Malta.

PN MEPS have been attacked on social media.

Meanwhile, Dr Muscat also shot down allegations of political transfers since winning a second term in office earlier this month.

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He said that he did not engage in political transferring of people in the civil service, and if anyone felt they had been the victim of this then authorities such as the Ombudsman were there to investigate.

Asked to commit to whether any political transfers had taken place since June 3, Dr Muscat said he had heard from a number of people prior to the election that the Nationalist Party was planning to make several such moves if elected.