Resignation rumours quelled

Labour leader Joseph Muscat and his former rival Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca yesterday issued a joint statement dismissing rumours that she may resign.

The statement effectively represents one of the first public comments made by Mrs Coleiro Preca, who has refused to make any comments following the Labour leader election last week in which she placed last with a meagre 26 of 887 votes. The joint statement said Mrs Coleiro Preca had never stopped working within the Labour Party throughout her 34-year-long career and that she would continue to work not only for the electorate in the sixth district but for all those who sought her service.

Rumours started spreading that she might defect after Joe Debono Grech, who had endorsed her candidature during the leadership race, resigned from the party (though not from Parliament) the day after Dr Muscat was announced leader. He has not explained his resignation or commented since but efforts are being made behind the scenes to make him change his mind.

"Now that the Labour Party has started settling, Dr Muscat and Mrs Coleiro Preca are united in the face of the work that is ahead of them, along with all those who want this country to start a new political season..." the statement said.