Opposition leader Simon Busuttil this evening told supporters not to be scared by the government and not to be deceived by the' insult' of being given a one-off €35 cost of living cheque on the eve of the local council elections.

Speaking in Nadur, Dr Busuttil said the government had been deceitful when it announced investment in health services in Gozo, especially when it then resulted that the Gozitans would only have an additional 10 hospital beds.

This, he said, was an insult and political hypocrisy.

DEBONO ALLEGATIONS

This, he said, was a government which tried to hurl mud at others, when it was smeared with mud itself.

Referring to the allegations about former minister Giovanna Debono, Dr Busuttil said the prime minister was saying he (Dr Busuttil) had known about the case - because he had met one of the contractors some two months after the election, even though they had not discussed the case.

But rather that criticise the former government, the prime minister needed to take a good look at himself and his government, including his involvement in the Cafe' Premier case, the Azeri hedging deal and the pay package for Sai Mizzi.

It would be better, Dr Busuttil said, for Dr Muscat to act like a prime minister instead of a Super One journalist, mudslinging before the election. More so because he had known about the allegations for months but kept them under wraps until an election beckoned.  

Dr Busuttil said his position on the claims made  about Mrs Debono was clear. He would await the outcome of a police investigation and then speak at that time.

In his address Dr Busuttil drew comparisons between Labour and Nationalist-run councils in Gozo, saying the Labour councils in Xaghra and Qala had performed particularly badly and not kept their promises.  

He expressed concern about what he said was growing fear among people who did not wish to be seen at political activities because they feared vindictiveness by the government. The country, he said, was being overcome by fear, something which should shame the prime minister.

He urged supporters not to be afraid and not to give in to threats by the government. 

He also urged them not to be taken in by insults, such as the €35 cheques they were now finding in the post.