Gonzi objects to letters tabled in parliament

It was unacceptable for a member of parliament to serve as messenger handling correspondence from a prisoner who had made unfounded allegations, Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi said in parliament yesterday.

Dr Gonzi was replying to comments made in parliament on Monday by Labour MP Chris Cardona.

In his speech, Dr Cardona said he had received copies of letters which prison inmate Carmel Attard, known as Charlie iz-Zambi, had sent to the prime minister. The letters, Dr Cardona added, contained some very serious charges.

He said the letters in question did not only refer to the "Mdina attempted murder" but also to the issue of compensation. In addition, the letters alleged that the Mdina case had intentionally been left "in the dark".

The letters, which remained unanswered, contained allegations of discrimination in the inmate's regard, Dr Cardona said.

Dr Gonzi described the letters in question as very insolent.

After pointing out that Dr Cardona had laid copies of the letters on the Table of the House, Dr Gonzi said there were parliamentary rules which everyone should respect and follow. To go around established rules would be tantamount to weakening the institution, he said.

Dr Gonzi said that among the rules in question were those governing the manner in which parliamentary questions were made, which rules also applied to interventions made on the adjournment.

To table the sort of letters as those produced by Dr Cardona would demean not only MPs but also parliament.

Rising on a point of order Dr Cardona said nobody had objected to his tabling the correspondence in question and, thus, he was surprised by the government's reaction.

He said he had carefully read the standing orders referred to by Dr Gonzi and that was why he did not refer to persons who were not members of the House during his speech.

Dr Gonzi said nobody had objected to the tabling of the letter because nobody was aware of their content. It never crossed his mind that an MP could render himself a messenger of such type.