Self-suspended Economy minister Chris Cardona has made an official request to parliament for protection after it was revealed that there were attempts to place the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia on him in an orchestrated plot.

“I believe that any attempt to prejudice and attack a member of Parliament’s constitutional function, requires strong and effective action, including from the House itself, the highest institution in the country,” Cardona said in a letter sent to Speaker Anġlu Farrugia earlier today.

The concerns arose after it was revealed that former government Chief of Staff Keith Schembri and leading businessmen Yorgen Fenech tried to place the murder of Caruana Galizia on squarely on Cardona’s shoulders.

Cardona said he needed to be protected for him to be able to fulfil his duty as a sitting Member of Parliament, and called on “all necessary steps” to safeguard him, it was reported today.

A number of Cabinet members were outraged to hear that there were attempts to frame Cardona for the murder, which shook the island and garnered continuous international coverage since it in Bidnija occurred over two years ago.

Since then, Keith Schembri has denied attempting to frame Cardona for the murder.

Do you think Cardona should be given official protection?