Opposition MP Marlene Farrugia on Wednesday once again refused to apologise for calling Parliamentary Secretary Clint Camilleri a “ġbejna” even though the Speaker saying this amounted to “gross misconduct”.

On Tuesday, Dr Farrugia had also refused to apologise and insisted this was the best word to describe him given the situation,” adding that it was not in itself a rude word.

Speaker Anġlu Farrugia said this was the first instance of this happening since the 1970s and asked the Leader of the House - deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne - for his position on the matter.

Dr Fearne said that, out of a sense of “maturity,” and after having consulted with the chairman of the Environment and Development Planning (EDP) Committee and with Mr Camilleri himself, he believed was that no further action should be taken, despite the importance of the Speaker's ruling and of the maintenance of order in the House.

Rising to defend Dr Farrugia, and arguing that justice should be meted out fairly and in all cases, Opposition MP Simon Busuttil said that he himself had been insulted on many occasions, as had the Prime Minister, and that no steps had ever been taken against the offenders.

However, the Speaker said that this was not the case, and offered to show him each and every relevant ruling.