Speaker upholds privilege complaint

The Speaker of the House of Representatives yesterday upheld a breach of privilege complaint raised on Monday by Labour MP Marie-Louise Coleiro.

She had complained that after she tabled two parliamentary questions and before they were made public along with the ministerial replies, she had received a threatening phone call about them from a woman who said her name was Maria Magro.

In her parliamentary questions, Ms Coleiro called for action over a kiosk in Victoria which, she said, had changed its activities from selling snacks to real estate, and two real estate agencies in Gozo which were operating without a permit.

The Speaker, Anton Tabone, in his ruling yesterday, found there was a prima facie breach of privilege according to the Privileges Ordinance because MPs could be hindered in the performance of their duties.

The case will now be investigated by the House Privileges Committee which may then decide to refer the case to the courts, recommend a reprimand by the Speaker, or decide that there are no grounds for further action.