Suspension of Simon Busuttil's driver lifted by Speaker

Speaker Anġlu Farrugia yesterday lifted the suspension of the Opposition leader’s chauffeur Anthony Tabone, saying there was not enough evidence to warrant such drastic action, this newspaper has learnt.
Mr Tabone had been suspended since Monday on Simon Busuttil’s request.
This was after Dr Busuttil learned the driver was being investigated by the police on suspicion of misusing the fuel allocation for the Opposition leader’s official car, financed by Parliament.
In his immediate reaction, Dr Busuttil yesterday evening said he was baffled by the Speaker’s “disproportionate” decision to refer to the police the case of somebody who did not even merit a suspension.
The comment came soon after Dr Busuttil had been notified by letter of the Speaker’s latest decision.

Asked to explain the move, Dr Farrugia said: “While I understood Dr Busuttil’s decision to correctly and promptly suspend his driver, when I was going through his [Mr Tabone’s] contract I felt I could not approve of his suspension at this stage.
“I don’t want to jump the gun… I feel I cannot suspend him unless there is direct evidence pointing towards him.”
The Speaker said a person had to be presumed innocent until...