Homes' director should have consulted the children - Angelo Xuereb

The deputy leader of Azzjoni Nazzjonali feels that the director of a centre for disadvantaged children should have consulted those who benefited from the donations made before declaring he will not accept money from him because of a message on a party billboard.

"He has a right not to accept the money, which was aimed to help my fellow countrymen in need... But I think that, before making that decision, he should have asked what the beneficiaries thought," Angelo Xuereb told The Times adding that he still planned to help people through the AX Foundation run by his wife.

On Thursday, Mgr Victor Zammit McKeon, director of the Central Office, Ejjew Għandi (Children's Homes), declared he will no longer accept donations from Mr and Mrs Xuereb after he learned about AN's billboard that featured an image of Mr Xuereb promising that the Balzan open centre for migrants would be closed.

(The message on the board was eventually changed to For A Better Balzan. When asked about this Mr Xuereb said the message was changed on a weekly basis.)

When contacted yesterday, Mgr Zammit McKeon said that, while he respected Mr Xuereb's opinion (that he should have consulted the children), he still insisted that his conscience would not allow him to criticise the billboard on one hand and then accept donations on the other. He had received positive feedback about his decision from people who met him yesterday. When asked if anyone had come forward with donations, he said it was too early to tell and explained how he usually issued calls for donations.

"I believe that the Good Lord will provide the help we need," he said, adding that he had nothing to add to the comment he posted on the timesofmalta.com portal.

The comment, addressed to Mr Xuereb, read: "That billboard really scandalised me. I could not believe my eyes.

"You and your dear wife Jessie always helped me financially in my work with disadvantaged children. I am very sorry to tell you that I cannot in conscience accept any more financial help from your side. I truly believe the Good Lord will play his part as he always did... I am praying that you change your opinions".

Ejjew Għandi runs five child day care centres, assisting families afflicted by social problems, mostly living below the poverty line.

Moviment Graffitti welcomed Mgr Zammit McKeon's decision, not to accept the donations.

"Through its decision, Ejjew Għandi is showing what principles based on solidarity and social justice really mean. We hope that everyone will have the courage to condemn this behaviour by the far-right, so as to prevent racism and fascism from raising their ugly heads in our country," the movement said.

AN is insisting it is not a racist party. On Thursday, Mr Xuereb said "We are not racists. I want to make this clear. We are against illegality".

AN leader Josie Muscat yesterday also insisted that his party was not a racist group but was against illegal immigration and the repercussions this had on Malta.