Xarabank cancelled as Franco Debono turns up for debate instead of Anġlu Farrugia

Last Updated: 11 p.m. PBS this evening cancelled the Xarabank discussion programme after rebel Nationalist MP Franco Debono, who last Monday voted against the budget, turned up for a debate between the deputy leaders of the two parties instead of PL deputy leader Anġlu Farrugia. Dr Farrugia was scheduled to take part in the debate with PN deputy leader Simon Busuttil. In a surprise statement, the Labour Party said it accepted a request from Dr Debono to be given the opportunity to face Dr Busuttil during the programme. It said it took this decision after evaluating Dr Debono’s request to represent himself and be given the opportunity to explain his vote against the budget. The PL said it also considered the fact that in the past week Dr Busuttil refused another two invitations for a debate with Labour MP Anglu Farrugia on PBS programmes TVAM and Realta. This claim was immediately denied by PBS, which added that this was the third time that the PL failed to send its deputy leader for a debate with Dr Busuttil. The PL said that Dr Busuttil and Dr Farrugia had already taken part in a two-hour debate on RTK. PBS said that the televised debate between the two deputy leaders had been...