Kurt Farrugia confirms Muscat gave stern warning to Xarabank presenters

From THE MALTA INDEPENDENT

Joseph Muscat had warned Xarabank producers Peppi Azzopardi and Norman Vella that he would strike back two blows for every blow they dealt to the Labour party by, an employment commission heard today.

Mr Azzopardi was called as a witness in the case instituted by former TVHemm presenter Norman Vella against the Prime Minister. Mr Vella, who is today a PN MEP candidate, is claiming political discrimination on the way he was re-deployed from PBS back to his old job as an immigration officer.

The Xarabank presenter confirmed that Dr Muscat had warned him and Mr Vella prior to a televised debate between then Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat. Dr Muscat had said that for "every blow that we feel you are striking at the PL I will strike you back twice."

The Government’s Head of Communications, Kurt Farrugia, confirmed that the conversation had taken place but said he could not remember the exact words.

Mr Farrugia explained that Dr Muscat only wanted a level playing field. In his personal opinion, Mr Vella was biased but the PL never filed any complaints because it believed that journalists have a right to ask questions in the manner they want.

Asked by Dr Andrew Borg Cardona, who is representing Mr Vella, Mr Farrugia said that the incident was a “normal one between politicians and journalists”. The payback Dr Muscat was referring to was political not personal. What Dr Muscat meant was that the PL had the political means with which to defend political harm it was caused.

Mr Farrugia admitted that he had made a mistake when he had confirmed to a newspaper that PBS had requested Mr Vella’s removal. He had answered before checking facts, which show that it had been the permanent secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry.

Mr Farrugia said the PL never filed a complaint about Mr Vella with the Broadcasting Authority or PBS. But he said that Mr Vella was cruel with PL spokesmen.

The case, submitted by Mr Vella who is claiming political discrimination, continues on 15 May