📷The Shift News
Repubblika states that:
- It is not enough that the Prime Minister fired Clayton Bartolo. Since he is saying that he was not fired because of what the Commissioner for Standards in Public Life found but for another reason, it is not even necessary for the Prime Minister to explain the reason. The government is obliged to account for its actions to Parliament and the public. Instead, we will once again have to rely on journalists to understand what ministers do behind the scenes.
- Maintaining high standards of conduct in public life is also important because we have every reason to expect that whoever is given political power will be a person of values ​​and loyal to the people. Every time the Prime Minister defends his ministers who misbehave under the pretext that they are being picked on by “extremists” from Repubblika, Robert Abela lowers the standards of conduct even further. It is no wonder that those who are covered up today are caught up in something bigger tomorrow.
- Even if the hidden reason for Clayton Bartolo’s dismissal is more serious, the findings of the Commissioner for Standards should have serious consequences. Minister Clint Camilleri should resign immediately.
- Prime Minister Robert Abela has said that he will defend against any police investigation the people indicated in the Commissioner for Standards’ report who were involved in the decision to pay Clayton Bartolo’s wife for work she did not do. Abela’s excuse is that the police investigation will be carried out because the “extremists” of Repubblika asked the police to investigate. It is not extremism to ask the police to investigate a suspected crime. On the contrary, this is the obligation of every honest citizen. The Prime Minister’s obligation is to see that the law applies equally to everyone, not to become the lawyer of his friends. That is what it means for the rule of law – not the abuse of criminals – to prevail.
26.11.2024