[WATCH] Parliamentary group meets at Dar Centrali to discuss alleged medical visas racket

Majority of MPs refuse to give doorstep comments • Paula Mifsud Bonnici confirms the group discussed 'other party internal matters'

Majority of PN Parliamentary group refuse to give doorstep comments • Video by Chris Mangion

The parliamentary group of the Nationalist Party is meeting at Dar Centrali this afternoon, ostensibly to discuss the alleged scandal surrounding the issuance of medical visas to Libyan nationals.

PN leader Simon Busuttil yesterday announced that a meeting would be held. Busuttil on Sunday claimed that the leaked messages revealed links between criminality and Castille, and that the Prime Minister had been aware of the scandal for over a year because he had flagged the issue at a meeting of the Security Committee. 
Muscat vehemently denied having knowledge of the medical visa racket before it was reported to the police.

A statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister claimed that the PN were meeting in light of Busuttil’s “increasingly precarious” position as leader of the Nationalist Party.

Whilst the Labour Party’s media arm has been upping the ante, insisting that Busuttil was facing internal pressure, many MPs arriving for the meeting refused to comment when asked by MaltaToday whether they believed the leader enjoyed the support of all – including that of the grassroots.

Others were extremely vocal in their belief that Busuttil retained the support of the parliamentary group and party supporters.

Jason Azzopardi, shadow home affairs spokesman, insisted that he still backed Busuttil completely.

"And of course he's got the support of the party," he said. "Isn't that obvious?"

MP Paula Mifsud Bonnici too expressed her complete support for Busuttil.

"I can only speak for myself, but I am sure the party feels the same way."

MP Charlo Bonnici would not answer questions, saying only he had "no time for fairytales".

MP Francis Zammit Dimech insisted that the group was only going to discuss the visas scandal, but pledged his continued support – and that of the party – for Busuttil, when prompted.

PN deputy leader Mario de Marco reiterated the group would be discussing the visas scandal while Frederick Azzopardi said he fully supported Busuttil and was sure that the party supporters did too.

Francis Zammit Dimech
Francis Zammit Dimech

At the end of the parliamentary group's meeting, which lasted for more than two hours, Francis Zammit Dimech said the group discussed the medical visas scandal but would not say whether the group discussed other issues.

MP Paula Mifsud Bonnici acknowledged that the group had discussed other internal matters besides the visa scandal, but would not say what.

She reiterated her support for Busuttil: "Absolutely, 100%" she said.

Charlo Bonnici said the group had discussed the visa issue but once again stated he would not comment "on fairy tales" when asked what else the group had discussed.

MP George Pullicino said that medical visas issue and other scandals had been discussed but would not say what other issues were discussed.

MP Antoine Borg agreed with him and said that the visas scandal had been discussed extensively.