Privilege complaint settled after apology

A breach of privilege complaint raised by Labour MP Marie-Louise Coleiro was closed yesterday after Ms Maria Magro of Xewkija apologised to Ms Coleiro for threatening her on the phone about two parliamentary questions. The apology was made before the House Privileges Committee and was accepted by Ms Coleiro. The Speaker, Anton Tabone, then declared the case closed.

Ms Magro phoned Miss Coleiro at about 9 p.m. on October 9, 2003 and challenged her about the questions even though the replies had not yet been published in the House. The questions were about permits for kiosks.

According to Ms Coleiro, Ms Magro told her she would open her shop as usual on the next day and nobody should dare to approach her about it.

After Ms Coleiro made her privilege complaint, the committee decided, on February 17, to summon Ms Magro before it decided what further action to take.

During yesterday's proceedings, Ms Magro's counsel, Dr Emmanuel Mallia, cast doubt over whether the call legally constituted a threat. Ms Coleiro said the timing and the language used in the phone call left no doubt about this. What was of greater concern was the fact that Ms Magro had come to know of two parliamentary questions which had not yet been published. This constituted interference in parliamentary work and she would have been irresponsible towards the House not to complain about it.