Writer and former book council chair Mark Camilleri was scathing towards comments Prime Minister Robert Abela made denigrating writers and whistle-blowers during the Labour Party General Conference.

In what has been interpreted as a reference to Repubblika President Robert Aquilina’s new book ‘Pilatus: A Laundromat Bank in Europe’ Abela stated, “You may continue to obsess with your blogs and books while we continue to create wealth”.

“Robert Abela has just insulted the intellectuals, authors, academics, journalists, the whole press, and the publishing industry just to insult Robert Aquilina and myself.” 

Camilleri accused Abela, in a video published on social media, of denigrating the whole publishing industry and claimed that he has created more wealth with his own capital than Abela has with his own money.

Camilleri continued to allege that the Prime Minister never worked a day in his life and made his money from dubious contracts.

“The publishing industry in Malta employs 10,000 people.” Camilleri went on to encourage people not to lose heart from joining the publishing industry despite Abela’s remarks as it is a beautiful and fulfilling industry.

Camilleri has strong words for the prime minister, calling him a clown, pulċinell, and a nincompoop, baħnan, for undermining the publishing industry.

“The Labour Party, the former party of intellectuals, has become an anti-intellectual party, an anti-publishing industry party, a party against freedom of expression. It’s disgraceful!”