“If someone makes a mistake, they must admit their wrongdoing, atone and learn from their experience, and ultimately have humility. This means that if someone made a mistake and they keep insisting that they have done nothing wrong and that everyone is picking on them, then I have an issue,” he continued.

“There have been instances where people told me ‘tomorrow, you could be the one to make a mistake. Hopefully, your friends will be there to back you.’ My reply was ‘God forbid I make a mistake that goes against my principles and my friends back me.’ What I would want is journalists like yourself to hold me accountable,” De Battista told Azzopardi.

He went on to say: “I don’t want people to back me. I want them to give me the boot if I make mistakes that go against the principles of trust and transparency”.

De Battista’s statements come as a response to Azzopardi’s questions regarding whether Labour politicians compelled to resign in recent years should be reintegrated, including figures like former Gozo Minister Justyne Caruana, independent MP Rosianne Cutajar, and former minister and Deputy PL Leader Chris Cardona.

The PL CEO has been quite vocal recently about the party’s makeup and the general political climate of the country.

About two weeks ago, the MP admitted to journalists outside parliament that he felt “ashamed” for voting against a public inquiry into the death of Jean Paul Sofia.

A week later, De Battista gave a speech in parliament where he stated that he will put his foot down in favour of what is right and to protect those “at the bottom”.

“We must learn that transparency and good governance aren’t a threat or vapid concepts but basic social principles that must be a prerequisite for people entering a job of so much responsibility and trust,” he said.

What do you make of his statements?