AN asks for clarification on position of officials

Azzjoni Nazzjoni leader Josie Muscat has written to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi complaining of arbitrary and discriminatory behaviour vis-à-vis two of his officials who were informed that their role within the party was incompatible with their professional work in the public service under the Public Service Management Code.

Mary Gauci, from the Finance Ministry, and Tonio Mercieca, from the Justice Ministry, were asked to choose between their professional job and their voluntary role in AN but PN and MLP officials working in the public service were not asked to resign from their respective parties, Dr Muscat claimed.

The AN officials had tendered their resignation, which was provisionally accepted by AN until it investigated the facts to see if the instructions were fair and just.

Dr Muscat told the Prime Minister that while AN had respected the regulations of the PSMC it expected them to apply to everyone. It therefore expected that either the officials of every party were asked to choose between their party and public service without exception or, until this is done, AN's officials should also benefit from the exceptions that others were enjoying.

Dr Muscat asked the Prime Minister to clarify the situation and inform AN on the action the government would take.

Last month, the Office of the Prime Minister had put on hold an ultimatum imposed by the Management and Personnel Office on Victor Galea, general secretary of Alternattiva Demokratika. Mr Galea was told that his teaching post in a state school was incompatible with his political position and that he had to choose between the two.

Mr Galea had protested, claiming discrimination.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister had explained to The Times that the letter to Mr Galea and to the two AN officials was issued without the knowledge of the Prime Minister and his secretariat.

The Office of the Prime Minister had said it had issued instructions for the letter to be suspended and for the position to be reviewed in view of the fact that there were several other people who held positions in the public service and also occupied political posts.