Man files judicial protest to prevent Manuel Mallia being made a minister again. Prime Minister threatens him with legal action.

There’s a fascinating story in Times of Malta’s print edition today. One Frank Teuma, who has set up the Moviment Laburisti Batuti (Movement of Suffering Labour Supporters) has filed a judicial protest – this is a formal protest at law, filed in the Court of Justice – to prevent the prime minister from reappointing Manuel Mallia to the cabinet.

The grounds he gives are that Mallia is not fit to be a minister, because the post requires honesty and integrity, and that his past is tarnished.

The Labour Party is supposed to look out for the interests of the working-class and the under-privileged, the protest says, but Manuel Mallia never cared for those principles and doesn’t even do so today, as his actions, choices and behaviour show.

The prime minister has responded with a counter-protest, defending Mallia against the descriptions of his character and personality and warning Mr Teuma that action will be taken against him if he persists in making these “allegations” against Mallia.

The appointment of cabinet ministers, he said, is the prime minister’s sole prerogative and is not governed by law.

Frank Teuma told Times of Malta that he wants to try to stop the Labour Party from continuing to lose its principles. He also told the newspaper that he took this action alone.

The story in Times of Malta continues:

Speculation has been rife in the past weeks that Dr Mallia will be given a new ministerial post in Dr Muscat’s Cabinet.

Speaking during a political activity in Żebbuġ, Dr Mallia described himself as “soldier of steel” and said he would “remain here”, with reference to the Labour Party.