The Office of the Prime Minister accused Labour of "deceiving" and "twisting facts" on MEPA.
Labour spokesperson on the environment, sustainable development and climate change, Leo Brincat said that this week Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi confirmed that although MEPA falls under tourism and environment minister Mario de Marco's portfolio, the authority's strategy still falls under the responsibilities of the Office of the Prime Minister. Gonzi said this in his reply to a parliamentary question tabled by Nationalist MP Jesmond Mugliett.
"The prime minister's words were very clear especially when he explained that the Policy Advisory Board will remain unchanged, meaning that any ministerial changes will not impinge on the board's responsibilities."
Brincat added that this confirms that MEPA's strategy will remain under the responsibility of "Gonzi's clique which has been given his blessing to work at Castille."
Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) rebutted Brincat's statement and said that the Opposition is persisting with "deceiving and twisting the prime minister's words."
The OPM published the text of Jesmond Mugliett's parliamentary question and Lawrence Gonzi's reply because it said Brincat had failed to do so in order to "twist the prime minister's reply."
In his reply, Gonzi said that the Policy Advisory Board's remit covers the stratergic policy of government in all sectors. He added that the board works together with all ministries and entities, so any changes in government's portfolios does not impinge on the board's operations.
The OPM said that the reply clearly stated that the Policy Advisory Board's responsibilities are wide-ranging and go much further than MEPA. It added that this issue illustrates the efforts by Leo Brincat and the Opposition leader, Joseph Muscat to "twist facts in order to deceive."