The reason why the Leader of the Opposition was not invited to the official Independence Day wreath-laying ceremony goes back to a years-long agreement, a spokesman for the Culture Ministry said yesterday.

National day ceremonies were determined in an agreement reached between then Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami and then Opposition Leader Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici, the spokesman said.

According to the agreement, which has been adhered to since, wreaths on monuments are laid by the President and the Prime Minister on Freedom Day and on Independence Day.

Government and Opposition officials lay wreaths on June 7 and September 8 while the President gives out Ġieħ ir-Repubblika medals on Republic Day on December 13.

The issue was brought to light by the MLP on Sunday when it pointed out that the Opposition Leader and party leaders are not customarily invited to the official ceremony.

But when contacted yesterday, Opposition Leader Charles Mangion said the party had not requested to be invited to the wreath-laying ceremony.

Asked whether the MLP was going to raise the issue with the authorities, Dr Mangion said the issue "could" eventually be discussed by the House Joint Parliamentary Committee, although he noted that the party did not want to make an issue out of it.

Asked whether the authorities were considering changing the policy, the ministry spokesman said nothing was cast in stone and things could change for the better.

The National Festivities Committee has not had any requests by the MLP to take part in the official wreath-laying ceremony. However, last week the committee was informed that the MLP wanted to lay a wreath on the Independence monument in Floriana.

"The Labour Party was invited for the Pontifical High Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta but, instead of attending the Mass, its officials laid wreaths (on the Independence monument) before the President could do so as he was attending Mass. This is against all form of protocol," he said.