'The line has been completely crossed' - Abela vows to defend 'targets of political hatred'
Throughout his speech during a political event commemorating five years of his leadership, Prime Minister Robert Abela indirectly mentioned lawyer Jason Azzopardi who, according to him, 'is focused on hatred'

Updated at 3:28pm with PN reaction
Prime Minister Robert Abela vowed to defend “those who are in the crosshairs of political hatred,” adding that “the line has been completely crossed.”
Abela was speaking during a political event commemorating five years of Labour Party and government under his leadership. Here he paid tribute to all former PL leaders who contributed to the country’s progress throughout the decades, stating, “What didn’t the forces of darkness do to them?”
Abela said that people should be proud of PL governments’ achievements, reminding the audience of the pain that was felt back in 2019, “when we thought that our achievements would all be lost because of the mistakes of a few.”
The Prime Minister thanked a number of people for their aid, including his former chief of staff, Glenn Micallef, former PL deputy leader Daniel Micallef, and former Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne. Addressing Fearne, he said that he looks forward to seeing Fearne serving his country.
Throughout the speech, Abela turned his attention to his political adversaries and the PN, referencing the PN’s turmoil in 2020. Without mentioning him by name, Abela referenced Jason Azzopardi who, according to him, “is focused on hatred,” referencing the lawyer’s filing of an urgent request for a magisterial inquiry into an alleged criminal racket involving the Gozo Ministry and Transport Malta.
Abela then addressed ministers Clint Camilleri and Silvio Schembri and, “all those who are in the crosshairs of political hatred.” The pair are subject to requests for magisterial inquiries into alleged wrongdoing, with the requests being filed by Jason Azzopardi.
“An attack on you is an attack on us and we will defend you with all our strength,” he stated, adding that “the line has been completely crossed.”
He further indirectly spoke of Azzopardi as he referenced a libel case he lost against Carmelo Abela, where the former accused the latter of providing assistance to the robbers who had carried out the 2010 HSBC heist.
“We will not let people abuse justice,” Abela stated, adding that there must be remedies for “those who are the target of lies.” He spoke of “an old legal framework which mimics the inquisition,” pledging to “end this once and for all.”
Here he announced that his government will soon explain plans meant to grant legal protection to public officials, shielding them from personal liability in court for their work.
Karmenu Vella warns of 'cliques that stab you in the back'
Among the speakers in the event was former European Commissioner and former Labour minister Karmenu Vella, who electrified the audience with his speech.
Praising Abela for his leadership, Vella appealed for party unity, stating that, “Challenges don’t break us, they unite us.”
After speaking of the reforms and economic growth seen under Abela, Vella turned his attention to the Nationalist Party, warning against underestimating anyone.
He described the PN as a number of cliques who compete against eachother over who gets to strike the PL. He referenced Jason Azzopardi’s withdrawal of allegations against Cabinet Secretary Ryan Spagnol. “These cliques stab you in the back and our system lets it,” he said.
Alfred Zammit back as event presenter
Interestingly, Kalamita producer and former Valletta Mayor, Alfred Zammit was one of the presenters for the event.
After losing his mayorship to Labour's Olaf MacKay last year, Zammit had taken his took his oath of office as local councillor and deputy mayor on his own, in what was interpreted as a sign of protest after having claimed that some people within the party had worked against him.
He had also moved his popular programme, Kalamita from ONE TV to Smash TV. Sunday marks the first time he has presented a Labour event since his decision, as he was met with applause from the audience.
PN questions Abela's defence of his ministers
Reacting to what it called Abela's plan to amend laws to restrict the right to request inquiries, the Nationalist Party described the move as indicative of a desire to suppress transparency and accountability.
The PN referenced Abela’s support for ministers like Clint Camilleri, implicated in the scandal surrounding the fraudulent employment of former Minister Clayton Bartolo's partner, and Silvio Schembri, facing scrutiny over unexplained wealth. The opposition said that his unwavering defence of such officials shows a pattern of protecting those implicated in wrongdoing rather than holding them accountable.