Updated | PN MP apologises for 'insensitive decision' in reporting journalist to the police

Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi has apologised for reporting a Labour media journalist to the police and confirmed that he withdrew the police report.

Azzopardi, who was thrust in the spotlight by an NAO report over the Lowenbrau deal, yesterday accused the Labour media of “intimidation” as part of a “hate-filled attack by Castille against me that is being spearheaded by [justice minister] Owen Bonnici and the Labour Party’s media.”

While the journalist was simply waiting for Azzopardi outside his office for a doorstep comment – as is normal for media workers from both political stables and the independent press – Azzopardi took the move as a sign of intimidation and said he expected the police to take action.

The move however sparked outcry, including from the Institute of Maltese Journalists which condemned the intimidation against journalists.

In a change of heart, the former lands minister this morning issued a second statement through the PN to apologise for his actions, admitting that the decision could have been taken "hastily".

Azzopardi, a lawyer by profession, however went on to claim that his clients had been irked by the presence of cameras outside his legal office: “Many of them do not want to publicise their appointment with a lawyer, even because of sensitive cases. My clients’ privacy was breached with the presence of the cameras.”

The PN MP went on to add that he withdrew the report yesterday evening, noting that his move could have been “insensitive”. He went on to add that he supported free media and believed in its role in keeping politicians accountable for their actions.

He reiterated that he had nothing to hide in the Lowenbrau case.

In a reaction, ONE News said it was accepting the apology made by the Nationalist MP.

“A politician should know that decisions taken hastily have serious consequences,” ONE head of News Aleander Balzan said in a statement, commenting that such consequences would be similar to decisions taken by the Lands’ Department under his watch.

“If Azzopardi were truly sorry for his actions, he should stop and take the journalists’ questions journalists,” Balzan added.