Opposition asks for Speaker’s ruling over ‘off mic comments’

Once again Question Time in Parliament turned into a tit for tat session between MPs on both sides of the House and Speaker Anglu Farrugia had to intervene on a number of occasions to restore calm.

The opposition tonight asked Speaker Anglu Farrugia to give a ruling over comments passed by Gozo Minister Anton Refalo.

While replying to a question over the suspension of a Gozo Channel employee, Refalo made reference to the PN media’s statement issued today in which it apologised over claims that Refalo had directly ordered a Gozo Channel ferry boat back to port.

Refalo had filed three libel cases after the Nationalist media reported that it was Refalo himself who ordered M.V. Gaudos to turn back, when it left the harbour without letting the passengers boarding.

Tonight, the minister said that “persons had filed a false affidavit” over the matter, “as they had done when the said that Justyne Caruana” he said in reference to the 2010 controversy which saw the then PN government claim that the Labour MP voted in favour of government.

When question time was over, PN secretary general Chris Said made a point of order and asked the Speaker to take action against Refalo who he claimed turned at the opposition benches and repeated “false oath” three times.

On hearing this government whip Carmelo Abela said that MPs were never disciplined for “off mic comments” and this should not change.

Farrugia asked Refalo to clarify his comments and the Gozo minister repeated that “false oaths had been taken.”

The Speaker concluded that since Refalo made no clear reference to any MPs his comments could not be sanctioned, however PN deputy leader Mario de Marco argued that comments “on and off the microphone” should be scrutinised by the Speaker and asked for a ruling.

The ruling will be given at a later stage. After today’s sitting, Parliament is expected to enter Easter recess and reconvene on 5 May.