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Labour deputy leader Michael Falzon has reacted feebly to the fact that MLP activists Steve McCarthy and executive member Joe Zrinzo told former deputy leader George Vella that if he accepted an offer to serve as the MLP’s new leader, he would enjoy the backing of Falzon. But deputy leader for party affairs Michael Falzon would only comment saying he was not present for the meeting in which he was touted as the man who would support Vella as leader, and that he did not know what was said.
MaltaToday revealed last week the details of the activists’ leadership proposal had been blurted out by a furious George Vella in the presence of some half a dozen activists, after the former deputy leader was criticised by Zrinzo during his presentation of the MLP’s arguments in favour of the European Constitution. Joe Zrinzo is father of MLP President Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi.
Vella had also been told the proposition had the ‘understanding’ of one of the present leaders in the Labour Party.
Asked whether McCarthy and Zrinzo were in fact lying when they mentioned Falzon to Vella, the party deputy leader reiterated once again that he was not present for the meeting and had no idea of what was said.
Challenged by this newspaper on the political ties he had with the two activists, Falzon said it was “unfair” to ask whether Zrinzo and McCarthy were in fact, “close” to him.
“I think it is an unfair question. If you are trying to assassinate someone, just go ahead and shoot. It is an unfair question,” Falzon said, who at no point disassociated himself from the leadership proposal made by the two activists, considered to be near to the deputy leader.
Minutes later, Falzon sounded miffed when asked to comment on incidents between Sannat Labour councillors (see page 2): “So, you don’t have contacts with the party mercenaries,” he told another MaltaToday journalist, referring to this newspaper’s enquiries over the Vella leadership proposal.
MaltaToday is informed that Joe Zrinzo is being investigated by the party’s Vigilance and Discipline board. Asked whether he was aware of the present investigations, Falzon said the board works differently and separately from the leadership, as did all other organs.
McCarthy, a former discussion host on the defunct Max Plus, had no comment to make after last week telling this newspaper he would only comment after the story would be published.
“You can go back to whoever is giving you this information for a comment,” McCarthy said.
It was during one of Labour’s assembly meetings on the EU Constitution that an infuriated George Vella, entrusted with the presentation of Labour’s arguments in favour of the Constitution, was peeved off at criticism from the eurosceptic Joe Zrinzo.
After walking out of the gathering, Vella blew up in front of half a dozen Labour delegates in an adjacent room and blurted out details of McCarthy’s and Zrinzo’s approach.
And yesterday the Nationalist organ In-Nazzjon reported that Michael Falzon was working to win more Labour delegates. In-Nazzjon also reported that Nathalie Attard who is close to the Michael Falzon camp was not accepted as Maltastar editor.
Though In-Nazzjon did not mention that at present Nathalie Attard is a full time salaried employee with European Parliamentarian John Attard Montalto.
matthew@newsworksltd.com
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