Toni Abela is hurt that Muscat is so keen to get rid of him

Toni Abela is hurt that Muscat is so keen to get rid of him that he’s using up a €240,000-a-year post that is his most useful chess-piece right now. Others are clamouring for the post of Maltese member at the European Court of Auditors which is soon up for grabs, but Muscat is prepared to use it to rid himself of the spluttering, chaotic and highly unethical Abela.

Abela conspired to cover up evidence of drug-dealing at a village Labour Party club a couple of years ago, and Muscat has proceeded to reward him with several government consultancy contracts since. He now plans to dump this shady and unprincipled individual on the European Court of Auditors.

Toni Abela is tempted by the big money and the “honour”, but was downcast when he spoke to The Malta Independent because he knows he’s being pushed aside so that Muscat and his henchman Konrad Mizzi can plough on unhindered in their drive to turn the Labour Party into a corruption machine at their personal service.