Updated: 1655h: The owner of 17 Black, Yorgen Fenech is back in police custody for further investigations in relation to the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Newsbook reports.
Earlier, Dr Adrian Delia, the Nationalist Party Leader appealed for unity in the fight against corruption. Speaking after calling an urgent meeting of the topmost echelons of the Partit Nazzjonalista, Delia said that this was a time for unity, for putting aside all that divides people and bring to the fore all that can contribute to unity.
Later the administrative Council and the Executive Committee of the Partit Nazzjonalista published a statement not only asking for the resignation of the Prime Minister but also praising Simon Busuttil and the whole opposition for leading the struggle against corruptions since 2013.
Observers of the local scene political scene read this as a very clear sign that the PN is striving to close ranks between different factions in an attempt to build a united front to oppose what the party considers to be a political and constitutional crisis resulting from government corruption, reports Newsbook.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said on Sunday morning that he is “100% focused on leading the country in this delicate time. “This government has an unprecedented mandate which will be served in full. I will remain focused on the leadership that this country needs – that is my duty. My duty is not to abdicate. I am not a fair-weather sailor.”
Earlier, media reports said that Muscat has told aides he will resign once he sees a prosecution in the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Government sources quoted by MaltaToday, yesterday described the sombre mood among Labour top brass after the arrest of Yorgen Fenech and the 17 Black association brought the Caruana Galizia murder investigation too close to Labour for comfort.
Even the Sunday Times reported that Joseph Muscat is planning to step down as Prime Minister “within six to nine months” but could be forced to exit earlier as Labour insiders admit to growing national “discomfort, sadness and pain” over the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder probe.
Malta Independent said that the Malta Labour Party’s Parliamentary Group is split over Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s future, but is almost in unanimous agreement that Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi should resign, A source quoted by the Malta Independent said there is “confusion” within the Parliamentary Group as MPs have had to rely on the media for updates. “Practically all MPs now feel that Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri should resign,” the source said. A similar situation exists among the Labour Party’s delegates, the report adds. Meanwhile, another source quoted by the paper, pointed out that the Office of the Prime Minister has shed a considerable number of staff over the past few weeks and months, with most joining other government entities. This is also being interpreted as a sign that the PM will step down soon.
Newsbook reported Minister for Education and Employment Evarist Bartolo said that Malta is currently at a crossroads. On a Facebook post on Sunday morning, the Minister said that protecting criminals will only put Malta in a worse situation. It would be only if justice gets served without any prejudice, would the country stand in a better place.
The majority want justice to be served today before tomorrow, and for whoever is involved and found guilty to get what they deserve, whoever they may be, Parliamentary Secretary for EU Funds Aaron Farrugia has said on Facebook. reports the Malta Independent .
Gozitan MP Anton Refalo has highlighted that while the majority has the power to decide,’it is necessary to take into account how the minority feels.’ The MP wrote on Facebook that to be an elected politician is an honour. “It is also challenging. It is about finding a balance between listening and acting for the best of all. As for every stage or position in life, turbulence and challenges brings about chances to improve, just as every problem always has more than one solution.”
In another development businessman Mark Gasan, contacted by Newsbook.com.mt, has denied all knowledge of the offshore company, Macbridge. PN MP Jason Azzopardi, who had alleged the connection described this denial as the “mother of all coincidences.”
Later in the day the Council of the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM) has informed the Tumas Fenech Foundation for Education in Journalism that they are suspending both its representatives from the Board of Trustees of the same Foundation. In a statement, the Council said that this decision was taken in light of the latest developments that have occurred in the country, where a prominent member of the family who finances the Foundation was arrested in connection with the assassination of the investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
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