'Don’t underestimate Borg like the PN did to me,' Joseph Muscat tells Labour

Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has warned the Labour Party it should not underestimate new Nationalist Party leader Alex Borg.

“My advice to the Labour Party on Alex Borg is that they not underestimate him as the Nationalist Party underestimated me. One of the biggest mistakes the PN did was not only underestimate me, but also Alfred Sant,” he said. “The Labour Party should not fall into that trap.”

Muscat was interviewed by Labour MP Amanda Spiteri Grech on ONE TV programme XRAY.

The former Labour leader, who resigned in 2019 following widespread national protests following the escape attempt and subsequent arrest of alleged Daphne Caruana Galizia murder mastermind Yorgen Fenech.

Asked on the freshly-elected Borg, Muscat said he was “disappointed” with some of his statements, especially the four-day work week and generic medicines, saying the way they were made showed the proposals were not studied.

Suggesting he should not be “shooting from the hip” when making statements, the former Labour leader did concede Borg’s job was not easy.

“Let’s be fair. To go into the leadership of a political party at a young age is not easy. You need time to adjust especially when you are thrust in the deep end like Borg was,” he said.

On comparisons being made between the two, he said he would not comment, stating it is up to the people to decide that.

Questioned on former Nationalist leaders, Muscat said that despite their political rivalry, he could sit down and work things out with former PM Lawrence Gonzi.

On his arch political rival Simon Busutill, Muscat said their relationship soured when they both returned to Malta from Brussels, pointing out that Busutill and Nationalist MEP David Casa were among the first to visit him and his family at hospital when his wife gave birth to their children.

On Delia, he said it was clear he had the willingness to carry out changes, but was not allowed to do so by individuals within the party.

“If he was allowed to work, he would have been very effective,” he said.

Hospitals concession price was ‘fair’

Reacting to the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitration tribunal ruling on the Steward Healthcare hospitals concession, he welcomed the decision.

“Not only did we not steal money frm the hospitals, but they still owe us €5 million. Now I find myself in court because, according to some people, money was stolen and part of this money was given to me,” he said.

Muscat is charged with money laundering, fraud, conspiracy, accepting bribes and corruption in public office.

He once again defended the deal, saying the contract was transparent and audited.

The former PM also slammed claims that government handed over money to Steward and Vitals for the refurbishment of the hospitals building.

“The moment they bring their own money to build the hospitals - and this didn’t happen for various reasons, partly their fault, and partly I think because of the confusion that was going on to prevent this from happening, that is when the work should have started,” he said.

He went on to say that if the services provided during the concession were provided at Mater Dei Hospital, they would have cost €63 million more.