News | Sunday, 05 July 2009

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A PN activist contests our report

I refer to last Sunday’s (28 June 2009) three-page article by Karl Stagno Navarra on MaltaToday. My comments given to Karl Stagno Navarra are but completely different to what has been reported on the newspaper.
Mr Stagno Navarra got nearly everything wrong. Therefore I need to clarify some points:
1. Whilst it is true that I did say that some people did not even bother to vote and that Labour did benefit from this, I completely deny saying that those “who voted, did vote Labour”. However I did say that some Nationalists did actually vote Labour;
2. I also reiterated that Gozo’s sway to Labour in last 8th June MEP elections was not a huge victory for Labour. Whilst I stated that such result needs to be given an in-depth analysis by the party and government, it does not show any permanent shift to Labour and the local council elections results prove this;
3. I also deny ever saying that the “ministers seem to be pulling a separate rope, and not coordinating anything between themselves” or did I level any criticism towards the Cabinet or any minister in particular. Therefore I also categorically deny in particular saying that: “Ministers must assume responsibility and realise it’s their own party and people they are hurting”. I only said that we all (party and government) must bear responsibility for the defeat and as a party we should do an in-depth analysis and adopt a plan of action on how to get the majority of the people back in our fold;
4. I do admit saying that the Prime Minister should not bear the brunt of the defeat because the people I met during home visits expressed utmost trust and confidence in the Prime Minister.
Furthermore, I gave my comments on the phone in front of two people who can attest to the veracity of my statement. This is the truth and any other impression or conclusion drawn on my comments is only a misinterpretation of what I have said. I deem it highly unethical that your newspaper has attributed statements or words that have never been uttered in the first place giving the false impression that it had been reporting ad verbatim what I have said.

Samuel Azzopardi
Victoria

Editorial note: Mr Azzopardi is the only PN activist interviewed last Sunday who has taken issue with Karl Stagno Navarra’s report; all other activists have confirmed with MaltaToday that their comments were represented faithfully. MaltaToday stands by what was reported. It is clearly evident that an attempt to dent this newspaper’s credibility has fallen short of its target, because all other PN activists have refused to publicly contest the report.

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