Godfrey Farrugia returns to parliament following surgery

A smiling Godfrey Farrugia was warmly welcomed by members of parliament from both sides of the House of Representatives as he joined his colleagues for the first session of the parliament sitting following the summer recess.

Farrugia, who was suffering from prostate cancer, underwent surgery in the UK.

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil was among those who crossed the room to welcome Farrugia back.

Farrugia, a GP by profession, had discovered his condition after undergoing routine tests which showed that his prostate specific antigen was abnormally high.

A biopsy had confirmed that he was suffering from an aggressive cancer of the prostate.

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil also welcomed Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella who underwent bypass surgery.