Prime Minister Joseph Muscat told a European Parliament delegation that he was “betrayed” by his former Chief of Staff Keith Schembri during a meeting this morning. However, this has done nothing to alleviate their massive concerns, with delegates telling the press that they remain very much worried by the political situation in Malta.

Sophie in ‘t Veld, the MEP leading the mission, gave a damning assessment of the meeting. While saying she would not comment on whether Muscat will resign immediately, she expressed concerns over the current state of his leadership within an EU member state.

She added that the delegation would only reveal their final position once they meet with the Attorney General, Police, Europol, Civil society groups, and journalists over the next two days.

MEP Roberta Metsola, who is representing the EPP as their rule of law spokesperson, gave intimate details about the meeting, describing Muscat as seemingly unmoved by calls for his immediate resignation.

“I asked him whether he felt betrayed by Keith Schembri, he said yes and that he had misjudged him,” Metsola said.

In a tweet, Metsola told Muscat that it was he who “betrayed his country”, calling him out for trying to “brush off responsibility”.

It is Muscat who has betrayed his country. If he thinks he can try to brush off responsibility he is sorely mistaken.

Get out now, before you do irreparable damage to the country. #Malta #DaphneCaruanaGalizia https://t.co/r9m4YwMyNS

— Roberta Metsola MEP (@RobertaMetsola) December 3, 2019

Metsola, who told Lovin Malta she will continue calling for Muscat’s immediate resignation, reportedly refused to shake the Prime Minister’s hand in the meeting

However, she added that Muscat was dismissive when faced with requests for his immediate resignation, telling the delegation that it was his choice when he would shoulder the political responsibility from the fallout of the case.

The delegation came to Malta while the country comes to grip with a political crisis brought on by the arrest and charge of Yorgen Fenech in connection with the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia; along with the very serious links between Schembri, Fenech, and Muscat.

A photo of Schembri with the middleman in the murder has emerged, while a handwritten letter penned by the same man naming Fenech and Schembri has been published.