PN motion demands suspension of Debono Grech

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil has presented a parliamentary motion demanding that Speaker Anglu Farrugia's ruling on Monday be changed to condemn and suspend Labour MP Joe Debono Grech for verbally threatening independent MP Marlene Farrugia during a parliamentary debate.

In his ruling, the Speaker ordered Debono Grech and Farrugia to retract offensive words used against each other in the House on Friday.

Farrugia was said to have called Debono Grech "corrupt" during an altercation, to which Debono Grech said he would "come and beat [her] up" in response.

The Speaker's ruling on Monday prompted the Opposition to walk briefly walk out of parliament in protest, after he noted that neither Marlene Farrugia nor Debono Grech had invoked breach of privilege.

Farrugia stated on her Facebook wall on Wednesday morning that the least the government could do was agree to discuss this motion today, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. "If a Member of Parliament insulted and abused in front of its colleagues and the nation, while executing her duties in the highest institution in the land, is denied protection with the blessing of the government, how can any woman in Malta feel safe during this Labour government's tenure," she asked.