Government mum on whether Farrugia should resign EU post

The Government will not comment on whether Vince Farrugia should resign his post on a European body for civil society after a court witness alleged he told her to lie to the police. Mr Farrugia, director-general of the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises – GRTU, was nominated to the European Economic and Social Committee by the Government in 2010, a decision that at the time was criticised by the Malta Employers’ Association. It was “inopportune” to comment at this stage, a spokesman for the Prime Minister’s office said when asked whether Mr Farrugia’s position was tenable. “The case you are referring to is sub judice,” the spokesman said, pointing out that nominations to the EU body were recommended by the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development. However, MCESD chairman Sonny Portelli said the body was simply “a postman” in this affair and appointments were the Government’s responsibility. He explained that the Government had approached the MCESD with a list of vacancies for EU posts and, as chairman, he had asked member organisations to suggest names. “We then forward these to the Prime Minister but the MCESD has nothing to do with who gets appointed,” he...