Speaker Anglu Farrugia uses casting vote to absolve Robert Abela

Prime Minister Robert Abela refuses to apologise

 

Speaker Anglu Farrugia used his casting vote to absolve Prime Minister Robert Abela of a breach of the Ministerial Code of Ethics determined by Standards Commissioner Joe Azzopardi in a report last March.

Farrugia’s decision, made last week, went unnoticed, overshadowed by the latest report on the scandal involving Gozo and Planning Minister Clint Camilleri, Tourism Clayton Bartolo and his wife Amanda Muscat.

The case involved a complaint by independent candidate Arnold Cassola on a video posted by the prime minister in February 2023.

The Standards Commissioner found the prime minister breached the code of ethics by financing and airing a propaganda video through public funds.

The Commissioner found Abela to have failed to separate his role as prime minister from that of a politician. Abela also failed to be impartial in matters related to public service, exercise diligence in disbursing public funds, and respect the impartiality of public officers.

The Speaker used a legal loophole. He said that since the advertising guidelines issued by the Commissioner and breached by Abela had not been implemented into law, he had no alternative but to vote in line with the Labour MPs on the parliamentary committee, absolving Abela from any wrongdoing.

Trying to please both sides of the House, Farrugia said that while he agreed with the Commissioner’s conclusions, he did not have the ‘legal comfort’ to adopt the report against the prime minister.

PM MPs Mark Anthony Sammut and Ryan Callus voted in favour of the report’s adoption, but the Speaker’s casting vote defeated them.

On his part, the prime minister did not assume responsibility, blaming his staff, particularly Communications Chief Edward Montebello, for breaching the rules.

Commissioner Azzopardi, appointed by Abela, reminded the prime minister that he was responsible for his staff’s actions.

                           

Sign up to our newsletter

Stay in the know

Get special updates directly in your inbox
Don't worry we do not spam
                           
                               
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

9 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Stephen Scerri
Stephen Scerri
23 hours ago

No surprise !!!

Joseph Tabone Adami
Joseph Tabone Adami
22 hours ago

Anglu seems to like supping with the devil – but uses just an egg-spoon, which, obviously, is not long enough!

saviour mamo
saviour mamo
21 hours ago

Scratch my back and I scratch yours comes to my mind.

Robert Agius
Robert Agius
20 hours ago

All cut from the same cloth …..

saviour mamo
saviour mamo
20 hours ago

After this manoeuvre from the Speaker ,the Opposition should walkout of Parliament.
Members are behaving like clowns in a circus..

Last edited 20 hours ago by saviour mamo
S. Camilleri
S. Camilleri
19 hours ago

“Farrugia’s decision, made last week, went unnoticed, overshadowed by the latest report on the scandal involving Gozo and Planning Minister Clint Camilleri, Tourism Clayton Bartolo and his wife Amanda Muscat.”: impossible to keep up with the recurring scandals. As for Farrugia, what do you expect: a spine?

Fred the Red
Fred the Red
19 hours ago

‘Ubiqwituwiss’ at best!

KLAUS
KLAUS
17 hours ago

The fake Speaker Anglu Farrugia will forever be a bad joke for democracy, forming the losing team with the crooks of Malta.

Anne R. key
Anne R. key
8 hours ago

It must have been a very “Ambibiscuitousticbigtitties” decision for Farrugia!

Related Stories

Church commission condemns Villa Rosa plans
The Church’s Environment Commission said in a statement it
Auditor General slams Film Commission for lack of accountability
In yet another scandal involving Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo,

Our Awards and Media Partners

Award logo Award logo Award logo