Minister dodges Busuttil’s questions on former police chief Ray Zammit

Justice minister Owen Bonnici dodged repeated questions by Opposition leader Simon Busuttil on why he decided to appoint former police commissioner Ray Zammit as head of the Local Enforcement Agency (LESA).

“The last thing Zammit is capable of doing is enforcing the law, as he doesn’t even obey the law himself,” he said in Parliament, referring to a series of controversies that the former police head has been embroiled in.

“Since Bonnici didn’t answer journalists on the spot, perhaps he can answer me now.”

Bonnici didn’t answer the PN leader’s question on Zammit, instead seizing on a clause within the PN leader's question and insisting that he had responded every question on the occasion – at the LESA offices to celebrate the 100th day since its inception.

On that occasion, journalists were denied the chance to speak to Zammit, despite being promised that he would take questions from the press.  Facing the media, Bonnici repeatedly dodged questions on whether he expects the public to have faith in Zammit.

“I have learned through life experiences that one must face consequences like a man,” he said. “I did so during that occasion and answered every question that was thrown at me by journalists. Unlike Busuttil, I choose not to act arrogantly when faced with questions by the press."

Busuttil took to the floor again to demand a straight answer from Bonnici on Zammit’s position, but the minister chose not to answer on the spot.

“There are parliamentary rules that disallow MPs from repeating their questions,” he said. “I refer Busuttil to what I had told journalists at the time.”