Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament, and Maltese police officer Kurt Rizzo have been making the headlines. Rizzo is accused of leaking sensitive information on drug investigations and has tested positive for cocaine.

Kurt Rizzo is the son of John Rizzo, a member of the Permanent Commission Against Corruption nominated by the Nationalist Party, and his case is of particular political relevance due to his close association with Roberta Metsola.

Sources within the Police Corps revealed that Metsola specifically requested Rizzo’s presence as part of her security detail whenever she visits Malta, both for official duties and personal engagements. Photographs and videos of Metsola during her visits to Malta consistently show Rizzo in close proximity as part of her security team. While Metsola has remained silent on the matter, her association with Rizzo has raised questions about her judgement and whether she was aware of the allegations surrounding him.

Rizzo is being investigated for allegedly leaking confidential information related to drug investigations. This breach, if proven, could have had severe repercussions, including jeopardising sensitive operations and endangering the lives of his colleagues. His suspension following a positive cocaine test adds more fuel to the fire.

Rizzo’s previous role within the Special Intervention Unit involved high-profile assignments, such as protecting key figures and assisting in drug-related raids. His alleged actions have caused outrage among police officers, who fear the potential damage caused by leaked information and the risks it posed to their safety during operations.

The controversy has also highlighted divisions within the Nationalist Party. John Rizzo, Kurt’s father, reportedly offered to resign from his post within the Permanent Commission Against Corruption. However, the PN leadership rejected his resignation and defended him publicly.

Metsola, despite her usual vocal presence on political issues and her constantly preaching about righteousness, has chosen not to comment on the matter. Sources that have spoken to Sunday paper KullĦadd indicate that Metsola was advised by her team, including Gordon Pisani, a former communications head, to remain silent.

To add to all this, Bernard Grech, has refrained from defending her. It is to be understood that some within the PN may be manoeuvring to replace Grech with Metsola as party leader. This might explain why Bernard Grech is so reluctant to support or defend her.

Sources reveal that there are those within the Nationalist Party actively seeking to unseat Bernard Grech as party leader, aiming to replace him with Roberta Metsola. This push, according to insiders, is influenced by Metsola’s and Karol Aquilina’s close ties with Richard Cachia Caruana, a figure who has exerted significant influence over the PN for years.

The dynamic becomes even more complex when considering how Metsola’s ascension could disrupt the current power structures within the party. Aquilina, who presently wields substantial influence over Grech, would lose his leverage should Metsola take the helm. This is because Metsola maintains a direct relationship with Cachia Caruana, bypassing the need for intermediaries like Aquilina.

Such internal wrangling raises further questions about the PN’s priorities and its ability to present a united front amidst growing public scrutiny. The backdrop of the Kurt Rizzo affair only amplifies the perception of a party divided by personal ambitions and selective standards of accountability.

The handling of the Rizzo affair has led to accusations of hypocrisy and double standards within the Nationalist Party. Critics have pointed out that in similar cases, individuals were pressured to resign to uphold principles of good governance. For example, during a previous Nationalist administration, Brigadier Maurice Calleja was forced to step down due to allegations involving his children.

As the controversy continues, calls for accountability are growing louder. The Opposition and its leadership are under pressure to clarify their stance on the matter, particularly regarding John Rizzo’s position and Roberta Metsola’s association with Kurt Rizzo.

This controversy raises justified questions about the PN’s internal dynamics and its approach to governance. Who will assume political responsibility for the Rizzo affair? Why has Bernard Grech not come out in support of Metsola? And what measures will be taken to restore public trust in the Nationalist Party and its commitment to integrity?