Watch: Guards block Adrian Delia from filming inside St Luke's Hospital

Updated Thursday 8am with GWU reaction

PN candidate Adrian Delia was stopped by security guards as he attempted to film inside St Luke’s Hospital to expose what he described as a lack of government credibility following a new €1.5 billion healthcare pledge.

The confrontation, captured in a video shared on Delia’s social media, comes two days after the government promised a massive 15-year investment to rebuild St Luke’s, Karin Grech, and Gozo hospitals.

In the footage, the former PN leader is seen challenging security guards at the hospital entrance.

Sarcastically captioning the post as a visit to the "€900,000,000 investment," Delia attempted to enter the premises to document the building's current state.

The video shows a heated argument between him and a couple of security guards at the hospital, during which he demands to walk inside the hospital and film it while the guards warn him he needs permission to film inside.

One of the guards tried to speak directly to the camera to explain his position but Delia shouted from behind him.

"We are here after the government announced a €1.5 billion investment, where €900,000,000 should have already been invested," Delia shouted as guards blocked his path. "We’re here to expose the government’s lack of credibility on this project."

The situation grew tense as guards insisted that filming inside a hospital requires a permit.

"Instead of allowing us to film and show the people how their money was spent, there are three security officers here thinking they can stop us or restrain us, or arrest us," Delia insisted.

The guards protested that choice of words, saying they do not arrest anyone.

Finally, one guard managed to score a few moments on camera.

"Like with every other hospital, one needs a permit to film inside here," he said before Delia challanged him again.

"Where is the hospital here? Where is it? Take me to the hospital. Let's go," the former PN leader said.

The guard insisted Karin Grech is, indeed, a functioning hospital but Delia would not take it.

At one point, the guard also accused Delia of pushing him, to which the candidate, hands visible in his pockets, replied: "How can I push you with my hand in my pocket?"

The video ended with a guard saying that the PN administration had "left St Luke's for the pigeons" when services were moved to Mater Dei years ago.

Labour condemns 'political stunt'

The Labour Party said that what the Nationalist Party had done was a political stunt, and Delia's actions deserved to be condemned.

It expressed solidarity with the security officers, who were doing their job. The manner in which they were filmed showed a lack of respect.

The party said it was appealing for calm and for no one to allow himself to be provoked.

The saga continues

The video had 46,000 views in an hour, marking yet another viral moment in the controversial Vitals and Steward Health Care concession saga.

Delia played a central role in the eventual collapse of that deal. In 2018, he filed a landmark court case as a private citizen to have the hospitals returned to the state.

In February 2023, a judge ruled in his favour, nullifying the contracts on the grounds of fraud. The appeals court went a step further in October of that year.

It not only confirmed the annulment but also slammed the "collusion" between the private companies and high-ranking government officials, ruling that the concession was used as an instrument to siphon public money out of the country.

This civil victory then paved the way for a massive criminal prosecution. Following a four-year magisterial inquiry triggered by the rule-of-law NGO Repubblika, former prime minister Joseph Muscat, his chief of staff Keith Schembri, and former minister Konrad Mizzi were formally charged with bribery, money laundering, and corruption.

The government’s new €1.5 billion masterplan, announced earlier this week, aims to renovate the same three hospitals over the next 15 years.

However, critics like Delia argue the plan is an admission of a decade of failed investment, and insist the derelict state of the St Luke's campus is evidence of the government's previous mismanagement of the site.

GWU condemns 'any arrogant behaviour' 

The General Workers’ Union added its voice to the concern raised over the "arrogant and disrespectful behaviour" by Delia.

It said in a statement that it did not accept irresponsible or intimidating behaviour towards workers, regardless of who was responsible or from which side of the political spectrum it originated.

"Every worker, irrespective of their role, deserves dignity and respect. Security workers carry an important responsibility in ensuring order, safety, and the observance of regulations, and therefore should never be subjected to pressure or degrading attitudes while performing their duties.

"The union reminds public figures and those who occupy leadership positions that they are expected to lead by example and show respect towards all workers, especially those carrying out their duties with honesty and integrity."

It also expressed solidarity with the worker and urged for calm, mutual respect, and a sense of responsibility towards all workers to always prevail in public life.