Updated: PN leader wants PM Abela to answer to Judge Mintoff’s 'serious' accusations; PL replies

Leader of Opposition Alex Borg said Tuesday afternoon that Prime Minister Robert Abela should respond to accusations made by Judge Wenzu Mintoff related to the appointment of the new Chief Justice.

Speaking on the PN media, Borg said the accusations strike at the heart of Malta’s rule of law, stressing that no prime minister should ve involve themselves in jusidicial decisions. He argued that the claims – which include alleged attempts to influence the selection process- demand clear and urgent answers from Abela.

Judge Mintoff has accused Prime Minister Robert Abela of prioritising money and political calculation over judicial independence in a five-page letter sent to the Cabinet Secretary, which was made public today. The judge asked for Abela to be excluded from discussions and decisions on the Chief Justice appointment, claiming the Prime Minister is prejudiced against him.

“This is an extraordinary situation,” Borg said, noting that a senior member of the judiciary had publicly accused the head of government of intervening in matter that should remain strictly independent. He maintained that Abela now has a duty to clarify whether the allegations are true.

According to Borg, the contents of the letter raise serious concerns about the integrity of the appointment process. He said the allegations suggest the nomination is being treated as a political tool rather than a constitutional responsibility.

Borg pointed to claims that Abela believed Labour Party supporters would oppose the appointment of any of four judges indicated by the Opposition, and that selecting one of them could politically strengthen the PN leader. He also highlighted assertions that the prime minister preferred to delay the appointment until after the next general election.

The Opposition leader further referenced allegations made by Judge Mintoff about Abela when the latter worked as a lawyer, including claims of bullying a court employee and questioning the judge’s impartiality in a lawsuit connected to the Paqpaqli charity event. Mintoff claimed that tensions arose after he challenged Abela’s motives, accusing him of being more concerned with financial interests than judicial independence.

Borg said these claims, if accurate, reveal the underlying reasons why the Prime Minister allegedly does not want Mintoff appointed to the top judicial post.

He also emphasised that Mintoff’s request for Abela to withdraw from the process – on grounds of alleged bias – raises a constitutional issue about whether the Prime Minister can continue participating in the decision.

He concluded that the situation demonstrates who, in his view, is acting in the national interest, framing the controversy as a test of the government’s commitment to judicial independence.

Speaking to the press outside Parliament soon after, Borg said that the accusations made in the letter are of a serious nature, and the people were shocked.

He said that he expects the Prime Minister to at least provide a clear explanation regarding the accusations.

Borg, asked what he would do if he were in the Prime Minister’s shoes, said: “what is sure is that I would not interfere in the way the judiciary are to do their job.”

Asked whether, beyond an explanation, if anything else is needed such as a resignation, Borg said that he is a cautious person and does not like to rush. “I want to see the Prime Minister’s response to these accusations and then we will see from there.” Asked whether Mintoff is still the Opposition’s pick for chief Justice, he said: “regarding judges, I am not going to discuss their impartiality or independence.” He also said that he is going to keep the Chief Justice discussions with the Prime Minister confidential, “as I always have.”

Questioned whether he believes it was a wise decision by the Judge to send the letter to the whole Cabinet, Borg said: “that was his decision. At the end of the day, the thing that is most clear are the accusations that were made, which are serious. Accusations that practically hinder an institution. Here we need to see, obviously, what response the Prime Minister will give, and what kind of peace of mind he would give to the people.”

In reply, the Labour Party said that Borg did not give the Opposition’s reply to the second name proposed by the government, that of Myriam Hayman.

Ignoring the accusations levelled by Judge Mintoff against the PL leader, the PL said the second proposal was submitted last Wednesday and the PN is still to reply.

It is clear that Borg is playing the extremist game, the PL said.

 

 

 

 

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