Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1533839
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 MARCH 2025 4 INTERVIEW Byron Camilleri: 'I offered to resign because it was the honourable thing to do' Byron Camilleri insists that he offered to resign after the drug heist from the Armed Forces of Malta barracks because it is what good governance commands. Nonetheless, the Home Affairs Minister says he eventually decided to stay on be- cause the Prime Minister told him so and Cabinet advised against the resignation. In an interview with MaltaToday, Camill- eri states that the soldiers who failed to keep an eye on a container filled with con- fiscated drugs were still employed by the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) because they must undergo specific procedures be- fore they are sacked. On Malta's defence, Camilleri rejects the notion that the country is missing out by opting not to borrow money from the EU's ReArm initiative. He insists the country has strengthened its defence throughout the years, joking that even PN leader Ber- nard Grech acknowledged the investments earlier this week. On Malta's participation in an EU-UK military mission to help train Ukraini- an soldiers in their battle against Russia, Camilleri says the AFM has formed part of the mission since its inception in 2022. But he insists the government "doesn't believe in wars." On former prison head Alex Dalli and his abysmal track record when it comes to prisoner mistreatment, Camilleri once again defends him. The minister insists Dalli is now playing a role more suited to his past as an AFM colonel. After drugs were stolen from an AFM compound and in the wake of the EU's drive to push for higher defence spending, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri sits down with Matthew Farrugia to discuss his actions. When the inquiry was published, I was also disappointed. I was happy that the inquiry was very clear on my actions and the minister's role. I'm very satisfied that in my time as minister we improved the working conditions, not just of the AFM, but all disciplined forces. So, you would expect a better job to be done…