PN holding protest outside Parliament amidst latest government ethics scandal, as PL claps back

The Nationalist Party is holding a protest in front of the Parliament building over the latest ethics scandal to rock the government over the past week.The slogan for the Monday protest was, “They keep on pigging out. Don’t let them.&rdqu

By: independent.com.mt

Nov 18 2024
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PN holding protest outside Par

The Nationalist Party is holding a protest in front of the Parliament building over the latest ethics scandal to rock the government over the past week.

The slogan for the Monday protest was, “They keep on pigging out. Don’t let them.” The Labour Party however erected its own banner overlooking Parliament square posing a question: “Can they be paid for nothing?” and including pictures of PN MPs Toni Bezzina, Justin Schembri, Robert Cutajar, David Agius, and Ivan Castillo.

A Standards Commissioner report found that two ministers, Clayton Bartolo and Clint Camilleri, abused their power when Bartolo's then-girlfriend Amanda Muscat was given a job with the Gozo Ministry that she had no qualifications for, and did not do.

Muscat, who was initially working as Bartolo's personal assistant, was employed with Camilleri's Gozo Ministry as a consultant, netting a pay packet of €68,000.

A Standards Commission investigation however found that Muscat was not qualified for the post, and never actually did any work as a consultant - instead she seemed to continue working for Bartolo as his personal assistant.

Bartolo has since apologised for any shortcomings he may have committed, and the Prime Minister has said that his apology is "sufficient" - even as there are calls for the Tourism Minister's resignation.

The protest is set to coincide with Bartolo’s plenary session discussing the Budget estimates for the tourism sector which, according to the PN, will give the public the chance to deliver its message to Prime Minister Robert Abela, Camilleri and Bartolo.

The PN insisted that The Ministers will not silence the people or placate them with an apology and urged the people who are “tired of being robbed” to show their outrage by being present at this protest. It added that the public will not remain silent until Bartolo and Camilleri resign as well as return what they “stole” from the Maltese adding that if the Prime Minister doesn’t enforce this, then he too will be complicit.