The central issue
Published:
November 20, 2014 at 12:58pm
Another top comment this morning, posted by Kev (a former police officer):
There is one central issue here and only one: why was the minister’s driver carrying a gun?
The fact that he happens to be a police officer only aggravates matters because police officers are not supposed to carry guns unless authorised to do so for specific tasks.
I would add a secondary matter: we still haven’t been told whether the gun is standard police issue or a private weapon.
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Whatever. The scene is set. Just enjoy the ride.
This is what the switchers wished for and that is what they got.
Yes, this is what (the switchers) got, but they have dragged all Malta with them.
Judging by the consistent arrogance and obtuseness shown by the prime minister, who is ultimately responsible for the antics of the team with which he has surrounded himself, there is no hope that things will improve at all, and frankly speaking, I am not hopeful that most switchers are ready to admit that they were wrong.
Good one, kev.
Well, Mr Police Commissioner, was the gun police issue?
And for once, Kev makes absolute sense. But according to the toad, it isn’t the first time that ministers have been driven around/escorted by armed individuals. So it’s all right then.
It was a false alarm, guys. Apparently the firearm is a vehicle issue and the drivers are not seconded police officers, but security personnel posted with the ministry.
So it’s up to us not tamper with the ego of armed, undercover demi-god drivers.
What is the “why”, “when” and “how” protocol for an armed officer to shoot?
Is Silvio Nexos Scerri’s driver armed too? Can we have a reply from the ministry please?
According to The Malta Independent: “Minister Manuel Mallia’s driver Peter Paul Sheehan was found guilty and fined in October 2000 for disobeying police orders. The orders he disobeyed were given by his then superior Ray Zammit.
Mr Sheehan was also found guilty of swearing in public and committing a crime he was duty-bound to prevent during a football game at Ta’Qali. He appealed the sentence in 2001 but a criminal appeals court turned it down.
As far as I know persons deployed at Ministers’ (and the Prime Minister’s) Private Secretariat are security vetted prior to deployment.
After vetting, either a clean security clearance is issued by the Head of Security Services or, in case of default, no clearance is issued and the Minister concerned is informed accordingly.
Should we know what happened here? Was a clean security clearance issued?
Alf, I bet he did not get his training from Ray Zammit.
Did Ray Zammit just shoot at him when he disobeyed police orders?
This government is reaching saturation point. Never a dull moment, the only one who seems not to be giving us any excitement is the deputy prime minister, who appears to spend most of his time relaxing.
The sad thing is that it may be saturation point for us, but they are only just getting started.
With no genuine policy or mandate, and experts in the art of corruption and lies wherever they lay their sights, how else can they justify staying on?
What is all this fuss about?
Id-driver ta’ Gonzi mhux hekk kien jaghmel?
Dazgur, Godfrey Grima hekk qallu lil Frank Psaila.
M’hemmx ghalfejn tkun xi espert biex tinduna li t-tlett tiri gew sparati minn wara (and not in the air) li jfisser li x-xufier tal-ministru ma kien fl-ebda periklu ghal hajtu, anzi aktar jidher attentat ta’ qtil ghax mhumiex tiri ta’ twissija.
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-11-20/local-news/Minister-Mallia-police-chief-Zammit-and-government-head-of-communications-Farrugia-in-meeting-6736126033
The answers in the video, weapon sharing he said.
Kurt watching out for anything the minister might say, ready to interrupt the press conference, xi hlew.
In fact security clearance is NOT requested by the Minister concerned but by the Office of the Prime Minister and therefore clearance or non-clearance is submitted by the Head Security Services to the Office of the Prime Minister.
Another “central issue” – has the victim of this attack been released from prison?
According to Article 99 of the Police Act:
99. (1) In exceptional circumstances the Force may, in the execution of its duties, use fire-arms and other offensive weapons or materials.
(2) When assessing the existence or otherwise of the exceptional circumstances mentioned in subarticle (1), consideration shall be taken of the conditions prevailing at the time when the use of fire-arms, or weapons or other materials becomes inevitable to preserve the life of a police officer or of others, or to avert an imminent danger of widespread violence.
This stuff is made in Hollywood. You cannot invent it even if you wanted to. Kumbinazzjoni kif igibhom ix-xitan.
‘Meanwhile, Renald Hayman, 32 was fined €200 in court today for having crashed into Transport Minister Joe Mizzi’s car, and kept on going.’
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20141120/local/update-8-shooting-incident-ministerial-driver-suspended-from-all-duties.544812
Simon Busuttil press conference:
http://maltarightnow.com/news/2014/11/20/live-blog-konferenza-tal-ahbarijiet-mill-kap-tal-pn/
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20141120/local/busuttil-accuses-manuel-mallia-of-a-cover-up.544925
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=983820981644374&set=vb.175361972490283&type=2&theater
I am waiting for the Opposition to hold a press conference about this. If they were at the government’s throats before, now they should be up in arms.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20141120/local/busuttil-accuses-manuel-mallia-of-a-cover-up.544925
Busuttil to hold a press conference within the hour.
Another example of biased reporting by TVM: the driver is a policeman and was therefore armed. As if it is routine for policemen to carry guns.
“Meanwhile, Renald Hayman, 32 was fined €200 in court today for having crashed into Transport Minister Joe Mizzi’s car, and kept on going.
He also had his licence suspended for three months.”
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20141120/local/update-8-shooting-incident-ministerial-driver-suspended-from-all-duties.544812
Mr. Hayman should consider himself very lucky that he got away with a suspension of his licence and a fine of Eur 200. He could have been shot at three times.
‘This was not a case which involved the ministry, he said. The ministry had nothing to hide and wanted the truth to come out.’
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20141120/local/update-8-shooting-incident-ministerial-driver-suspended-from-all-duties.544812
If the ministry is not involved why did the minister give out a press conference. The Acting Police Commissioner should have done it. Someone has to be responsible.
And did the Acting Police Commissioner participate only in the discussions? Where was he during the press conference?
The picture would have looked better with him in it, sitting next to Kurt or Ramona.
Do people go through a psychiatric evaluation before being allowed to use guns or weapons?
Thank God that the shots were not fired by an AK47; the Maltese Army has a lot of these and Manuel Mallia is also responsible for the army.
The Police Commissioner together with Manuel Mallia should also resign.
Both are responsible for the control of police officers and security on the streets.
Manuel Mallia seems to shift responsibility on the Police Commissioner however he is the one who picks and chooses the police officials.
The Metropolitan Police Chief in London had resigned because one of his advisers was being investigated in the phone hacking scandal.
In Malta a man is made the police minister’s chief of staff while he is being investigated for conspiracy of murder, and the minister’s driver goes on a shooting rampage because the untouchable effect of his boss has rubbed onto him.
OK I think I’ve got it at last.
Under the present government having a criminal conviction is an asset. It opens doors to get jobs, meet famous people and see the world.
It all fits in nicely with the meritocracy thing.
What’s not to like?
It would be interested to know if the gun used is a service issued one or not. If not, did he have a licence to carry the gun.