Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has leapt to the defence of the Opposition leader and warned the Nationalist Party against rushing to conclusions before investigations against Adrian Delia are finalised.

In a cutting comment made on the day that The Sunday Times of Malta published revelations from a money laundering probe into past dealings by Delia, Muscat said PN should learn from his government’s handling of similar claims.

“If there is someone who knows about someone writing false things about you, it is my family and I,” Muscat said drawing clear parallels between Delia’s case and the Egrant inquiry.

Delia yesterday held an urgent press conference after receiving questions by The Sunday Times of Malta. He said he asked police to investigate what he says are ‘false’ documents which include forgeries of his signature.

The documents refer to the claims that Delia had opened and managed a bank account which was used to funnel proceeds from a prostitution racket in Soho.

The Sunday Times of Malta has recently reported that an FIAU (Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit) investigation into the matter has stalled in recent weeks.

Both claims were initially made by assassinated journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

In his Sunday address, Muscat said one much be consistent when it comes to rule of law and allow investigations to take their course.

“You need to be consistent when it comes to rule of law,” Muscat said.

“Will they do same thing with Delia as they did to me?” Muscat asked, referring to PN members.

He added that if Delia was so sure of the false claims he would request a magisterial inquiry.

Muscat also spoke about recommendations made by the Venice Commission, where he praised his government for reportedly starting the implementation of a third of what has been proposed within 100 days.

Stressing that changes proposed by the Venice Commission were with regards to laws that predated the Labour government, Muscat said that the government was ready and willing to put into practice the recommendations.

Before Muscat, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi spoke at the event and took the opportunity to further praise the news that Air Malta registered a profitable year for the first time in 18 years.

The Prime Minister would echo Mizzi saying that the government was able to take courageous steps to ensure that the country’s national airline could be a success. as they had done with Enemalta.

“Air Malta will become the airline of the entire Mediterranean,” he said.

Rosianne Cutajar, who also addressed the audience, said that the choice was clear for the upcoming European Parliament elections, either the “mediocrity” and “arrogance” of the PN or the success and “humility” of the PL.

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Julian Bonnici

Julian is the former editor of Lovin Malta and has a particular interest in politics, the environment, social issues, and human interest stories.