Joseph Muscat should resign as Prime Minister immediately to avoid real or perceived interference in the Daphne Caruana Galizia investigation, according to the Chamber of Advocates.

“In the extraordinary circumstances we have experienced this last week, our legitimate expectation is that the integrity and credibility of the investigative process and all that ensues in the pursuit of justice is paramount – this is what must be preserved and protected at all costs and at all times.”

“Accordingly, anyone in power and whose position is one of conflict due to relationships with anyone involved or named in the investigations which are underway, should make way to allow that process to take its course objectively credibly, and without any form of interference, whether real or perceived.”

“In these extraordinary circumstances the position of the Prime Minister has become untenable. For the sake of the country’s reputation and credibility, the Prime Minister must resign. The time for that is now. Delaying the inevitable by a month will serve no useful purpose but seriously risks tainting the integrity and credibility of the investigative process.”

The Chamber argues that any government had a structure that can, and should, be able to withstand the resignation of a prime minister.

“If the Prime Minister himself cannot fully appreciate or understand the importance of this, in the national interest, then it is incumbent upon his colleagues in cabinet and in Parliament to withdraw their support and to act in the national interest.  “

“The outcome of any investigation and of any ensuing judicial process is only as good as the credibility and integrity of that process, the credibility that the Maltese people, and the international community attentively watching, will attach to it.  That process cannot be allowed to be tainted by conflicts and potential or perceived bias otherwise its outcome will likewise be tainted.  Now is the time for leaders to show that they can also shoulder their responsibility for the common good and the national interest. The current state of affairs in untenable and certainly cannot be prolonged. The uncertainty, the lack of trust that this creates in important institutions will only increase instability in the country and further obfuscate our international reputation.”

The Chamber of Advocates reiterated that conflicts of interest, which in this case are self-evident, pose a clear and present danger to the investigation, and the subsequent judicial process.

“It is crucial that the country is returned to a state of normality and proper governance; and to undertake with utmost urgency the required constitutional reforms to ensure the resilience and independence of vital institutions from the executive arm of the State, and to endow our institutions with the trust and credibility that they deserve.”