Outspoken Labour MP: ‘Government rushed on citizenship’

Outspoken Labour MP Marlene Farrugia pulled no punches in dubbing the arrest of Norman Vella, the immigration official who formerly presented TVHemm on PBS, was "political" and had put a bad light on the Labour government eight months into its legislation.

"The media's outburst and its portrayal of a political vendetta and a vindictive arrest put a bad light on the government, and the police force. All involved should now shoulder their responsibility because their overzealous behavior is demeaning the credibility of the police force and the government," Farrugia told Radju Malta presenter Andrew Azzopardi yesterday.

Vella, a civil servant granted five years' unpaid leave to work with the Where's Everybody production house, was questioned by police over allegations that he had snapped mobile phone pictures of two government officials, while passing through the MIA's passport control. No charges were ever pressed.

Farrugia had previously criticized the government's decision to refuse Norman Vella an extension of his secondment to the public broadcaster. 

Farrugia also commented on Joseph Muscat's controversial citizenship scheme, which will sell passports at €650,000, arguing that the government should have consulted the Opposition prior to announcing the scheme.

"The government could have dealt with the IIP scheme much better. A consensus between the government and the Opposition and all stakeholders should have been struck."

The Labour backbencher had previously argued that she disagreed with the sale of citizenship. "The mere sale of the Maltese passport is unacceptable. However, if the beneficiaries invest their time and money in the Maltese economy over a considerable period of time, I would accept that it offers a cash injection in the Maltese economy."

Despite her stand, Farrugia voted in favour of the bill, saying that she trusted the Prime Minister in implementing a scheme that appears to be solely aimed at putting down Malta's deficit.

Asked whether she is risking her political career due to her outbursts and controversial stands, Farrugia defended her move, claiming that "it is just part of [her] role in representing voters."

"Before making my opinion my public, I communicate any issues internally with the Prime Minister. I am in no way a loose cannon, I merely voice my opinion for the good of the country."

Farrugia's unpaid assistant's role, by the side of her partner Godfrey Farrugia, the health minister, also caused controversy in the media but her tenure was short-lived as she decided to abandon her post due to the "excessive attention" that would have undermined her work in the ministry.

Farrugia said she was ready to do the job without being remunerated. "I am already being paid my parliamentary honoraria. I would not have accepted any other financial package, as it is not is line with my conscience."

Referring to fellow MPs engaged in consultancy roles for the government and being paid hefty financial remunerations, Farrugia argued that it is up to their conscience whether to accept the money. She also ruled out accepting any consultancy role or ministerial posts, because her engagements as a backbencher would be "constrained".

"Had I been offered a role within a ministry or parliamentary secretariat at the start of the legislature, I would have accepted. Notwithstanding my previous posts as an Opposition spokesperson for the energy sector and my (short-lived) assistant role within the health ministry, I do not feel that I am just a number within parliament."