All but four Labour backbenchers are guzzling up more than €1 million between them

All Labour backbenchers bar four have been put on the state payroll in some form or fashion, over and above their remuneration as members of parliament.

The sole four who have not been added to the state payroll as consultants, chairmen or advisers are Etienne Grech (which might account for his relentless sucking up to Muscat on Facebook), disgraced ex minister Manuel Mallia, party whip Godfrey Farrugia and the low-profile Joe Farrugia.

Their colleagues on the backbench will meanwhile have guzzled up more than €1 million between them by the time the general election rolls round in 2018.