Ex-MP Mallia Alleges Direct Order to Police from Camilleri
In the heart of Malta’s political scene, a bombshell has been dropped. Former MP, Manuel Mallia, has sensationally claimed that he was ordered by then-Minister, Roseanne Camilleri, to influence a police investigation. The alleged incident, he says, took place in the hallowed halls of Castille, the official residence of the Prime Minister.
A Whistleblower’s Tale
Manuel Mallia, once a stalwart of the Labour Party, has broken his silence. In a sworn affidavit, he recounts an encounter in 2017 with Camilleri, then Minister for Gozo and Local Government. The meeting, he claims, was anything but ordinary. Mallia alleges that Camilleri handed him a piece of paper, bearing the details of a police investigation into a local council official.
“She told me to ‘sort it out’,” Mallia claims. “I was shocked. I refused, of course. But the order was clear – she wanted the investigation stopped.”
The Investigation in Question
The investigation in question was into suspected corruption at the Rabat Local Council. The official, a Labour Party appointee, was accused of misappropriating funds. The police, however, were stonewalled at every turn. Documents went missing, witnesses clammed up, and the investigation ground to a halt.
Mallia’s affidavit suggests a political hand behind the obstruction. If true, it would be a stark reminder of the influence politics can wield over law enforcement in Malta.
Political Fallout
Camilleri, now a backbencher, has dismissed Mallia’s claims as “baseless and malicious”. She maintains that she has always respected the independence of the police and has never interfered with their investigations.
Labour Party leader, Robert Abela, has been more circumspect. He has called for calm, urging all parties to allow the facts to emerge. The Opposition, however, has seized on Mallia’s claims, demanding a full investigation and calling for Camilleri’s resignation.
The Police Commissioner, Lawrence Cutajar, has confirmed that he is looking into the allegations. He has appealed for anyone with information to come forward.
In the heart of Valletta, the clock tower of St. George’s Square chimes the hour. The city, a witness to Malta’s political history, stands silent, waiting for the next chapter in this unfolding drama.
