German MEP pelted on Facebook as former GWU boss declares him ‘persona non grata’

The Nationalist Party has challenged Prime Minister Joseph Muscat over former GWU secretary-general Tony Zarb’s call for the Maltese government to declare the chairperson of the European Parliament’s Panama Papers committee as a “persona non grata”.

Werner Langen, a long-serving German MEP, drew the ire of Tony Zarb after he warned Muscat at his European Parliament grilling on Wednesday that his committee will not stop chasing him for answers on the Panama Papers scandal.

PANA chair Werner Langen had warned Joseph Muscat that he will not 'get off scot-free'

“You can laugh all you like, Prime Minister, but we will insist that you don’t get off scot-free,” he said. If you keep doing nothing, then we [the PANA committee] will keep on following you and keep on questioning you…including whether you had bought votes in Malta.”

He was also heard off-mike calling Joseph Muscat a liar, as the Maltese Prime Minister took to the podium to deliver his final speech.

Zarb, who was last year appointed as consultant to minister Konrad Mizzi, reacted by taking to Facebook to declare that Langen should be declared a “persona non grata” in Malta and resign as chair of the PANA committee.

“Were it up to me, no Maltese government official should appear in front of the PANA committee so long as Langen stays on as its chair,” he said. “One must bear in mind that Langen enjoys rubbing up with [PN MEPS] David Casa and Roberta Metsola, and I think he should be declared a persona non grata.

“Beware, Maltese people. We must not let anyone vilify this country. I will never forgive anyone who harms this country, be they Maltese or foreigners.”

In separate Facebook posts, Zarb also denounced Metsola and Casa as “traitors of Malta”, and said they should receive a “traitors’ welcome” when they touch down in their home country. Metsola responded by accusing Zarb of using antiquated hate speech that he should be ashamed of.

“Mr Zarb, the time has come to understand that your online hate speech and your desperate attempts for publicity belong in the divisions of the past,” she said.

The Nationalist Party in a statement said that Zarb’s criticism reflects Joseph Muscat’s true style of divisive politics, behind his sheen as a leader calling for national unity.

“Zarb’s comments confirm Muscat’s falsehood. On the one hand, he speaks about national unity, and on the other hand instigates those closest to him to spread hatred against PN exponents,” it said. “If Muscat is to believed on his call for national unity, we once again challenge him to instantly reverse all those vindictive transfers he had ordered after the election. Muscat says one thing in front of the cameras but then does the opposite behind the scenes.”

PL supporters flood Langen’s Facebook page with insults

Meanwhile, Labour Party supporters have flooded Werner Langen’s Facebook page with insults against the PANA chair and statements of defence for Muscat.

One commented: “It is better if you start to scrutinize your country and yourself d***head. Malta was not beaten when Hitler tried to destroy Malta, not even you are going to succeed.” 

Another wrote: “Shame on you, Mr Langen…pointing your finger at our honest Prime Minister. We love our Prime Minister and he wants the best for our country and you are jealous of him because he knows better than you and you are nothing compared to him…so shot up and let him work in peace!”