Who are these ‘others’?

That’s the second time Times of Malta reports from China that there were “others” in the official Maltese government delegation to China apart from those who are named on the official list.

Either I’m overly suspicious, or the handpicked journalist is naive. It’s normal to have aides and bag carriers – all senior politicians do. But they are not considered part of a delegation.

The normal way to refer to them, if you need to mention them at all, is to say “accompanied by their staff”.

“Among others” implies there are other members of the delegation who are not being named. That reminds me, where is Alex Sceberras Trigona these days? Stroking his bus pass?