PM ‘does not approve’ of immigration protest

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has criticised plans for a protest against immigration expected to take place on Sunday, warning Labour officials and MPs not to take part. “The Prime Minister has made it clear to the organisers that he does not approve of such demonstrations,” his spokesman told Times of Malta. The organisers have applied for a police permit to hold a protest in Valletta on Sunday, calling it a demonstration “in favour of the Maltese Government in the fight against illegal immigration”. “While freedom of expression is everyone’s right, the Prime Minister strongly believes those who want to support Government won’t help by demonstrating in the streets,” Dr Muscat’s spokesman said. He added that the Government will keep taking a strong line against politicians and the organised criminal racket while making sure human lives were saved. A Facebook group promoting the protest has almost 5,000 members but this includes several moderate politicians from both sides of the spectrum who may have been added to it without their knowledge. Asked whether any Government officials or MPs would be given the green light to take part in the protest, Dr Muscat’s spokesman said:...