The reference to aprons (fradal) was a clear reference to the aprons traditionally worn by Freemasons.

Azzopardi commented after Sunday Times of Malta reported that Zammit Lewis had texted Fenech a news article which reported on a press conference he had delivered with Robert Abela (back then just an MP) in January 2019 after a court dismissed former PN leader Simon Busuttil’s call to open a specific magisterial inquiry into 17 Black.

Magistrate (now judge) Francesco Depasquale had already dismissed Busuttil’s request in May 2018, arguing that holding multiple investigations on the same case would amount to a waste of resources.

Depasquale dismissed his request again in January 2019, stating that Busuttil was trying to resurrect a final decision.

Following this decision, Zammit Lewis and Abela held a press conference at the PL headquarters in which they called out Busuttil for disrespecting the institutions and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the PN has announced it will file a motion of no confidence in Zammit Lewis and will ask the Speaker to urgently convene Parliament, which is currently in summer recess, to debate it.

“Instead of supporting former PN leader Simon Busuttil’s efforts to ensure an investigation into 17 Black, Zammit Lewis laughed at him and described him as a ‘threat to the rule of law’, all while he sent secret messages to Fenech to seek his approval,” the PN said. 

“He also told Fenech that PL voters are stupid and don’t seek political competence but rather ‘children and posers’.”

“Just like Robert Abela, Zammit Lewis tries to present himself as the face of reforms when he is actually one of the people responsible for the state having created an environment of impunity that has led us to this present situation.” 

“This PN motion will be the first test for the PL parliamentary group to show with facts that they have learnt their lesson and are truly ready to work in the national interest.”