The prime minister's offer to the Labour Party to nominate one of its MPs as Speaker was an insult, former Labour deputy leader George Vella said this evening.

The former foreign minister made his comment at a public activity held by Labour leadership hopeful Joseph Muscat in Birzebbuga.

The MLP has not formally taken a decision on the government's offer, but an MP nominated to the Chair would lose his original vote in the House, meaning that the government's majority would grow to two.

Dr Vella said the country needed a strong Opposition that would be able to scrutinise the government and keep its “arrogance” in check. He then went on to describe the government’s offer as “insolent”.

Dr Vella and journalist Godfrey Grima made speeches to back Dr Muscat's candidacy.

Dr Muscat kicked off his speech at the event – which is the first in a series his campaign team will be organising before the June 5 election – by thanking the other four candidates, saying that he believed they all were valid people who had a lot to offer.

“Should anyone of them be chosen instead of me I ask you to work with them,” he said.

He then went on to reiterate his vision for a modern, inclusive party and insisted on unity.