Labour MPs on national executive committee elected

The Labour Parliamentary Group yesterday elected Joe Abela, Evarist Bartolo, Leo Brincat, Joe Debono Grech, leadership contender Anglu Farrugia, and Noel Farrugia as its representatives on the party's national executive committee.

Charles Mangion, the party's deputy leader for parliamentary affairs, and Joe Mizzi were appointed as members on the House Business Committee.

Mr Debono Grech and John Attard Montalto, also a leadership contender, were appointed as member and substitute on the Council of Europe, former deputy leader George Vella and Mr Mizzi as member and substitute of the Inter-Parliamentary Union while Anglu Farrugia was appointed member to the OSCE.

Sources said the members of the shadow cabinet, appointed by Labour leader Alfred Sant, have yet to be announced.

Meanwhile, the newly elected deputy leader for party affairs, Michael Falzon, is said to be trying to stop a petition being circulated by former speaker Myriam Spiteri Debono, known to be a close ally of Dr Sant. The petition seeks to introduce changes to the Labour Party's administration before January, when the administration's term ends.

The names of television presenter Jason Micallef, Alfred Grixti and Sharon Ellul Bonici are being mentioned as possible candidates for the post of general secretary, currently occupied by Jimmy Magro.

Sources said that delegates were putting pressure on Mario Cutajar, the former deputy general secretary of the General Workers' Union, to contest the post of party general secretary.

Toni Abela and Wenzu Mintoff are being mentioned as possible contenders for the post of party president.

Sources said that current party president Manwel Cuschieri has not been seen at the MLP headquarters since his humiliating defeat in the election for deputy leader for party affairs.