Alternattiva Demokratika have issued a statement saying that even after an electoral victory, it seems that the PN is still in election mode and keeps on repeating a blatant lie about AD chairperson Harry Vassallo. On the programme Newsroom, transmitted on 17/03/2008 on NET TV, PN general secretary Joe Saliba repeated the lie that Harry Vassallo had collected VAT from customers and not passed this money to the VAT department. This is completely false and the notorious case which was set up by NET TV journalists at the end of the electoral campaign revolves around the fact that VAT returns for a defunct company were not filled in. On no occasion did this company collect money and not return it to the VAT department.

"Even in victory Joe Saliba has no sense of morality and no respect for the truth. Just a few days after the Prime Minister promised an inclusive and humble government, Joe Saliba is continuing to show all the signs of political arrogance by repeating a blatant lie," said Stephen Cachia, AD deputy Chairperson.

"Joe Saliba should apologise immediately to Harry Vassallo for the smear campaign he started at the end of the electoral campaign and which, it seems, he wants to continue even when the campaign is over. I hope that Mr. Saliba's attitude is not a frightening prelude to what we expect to see from the PN during the next five years," continued Mr Cachia.