The GRTU said today that Vince Farrugia, a PN candidate for the European Parliament elections, would stay on as its director-general but would not speak on its behalf until the elections were held on June 6.

The Chamber said comments on its behalf would be made by Paul Abela, its president.

The Chamber said the staff of the director-general's office had been trained so as to ensure that activity at the GRTU was not affected when Mr Farrugia needed to be away.

It referred to a Maltese newspaper report yesterday, describing it as speculative and saying there was no issue over Mr Farrugia's position as director-general. Like every EU citizen, he had a right to contest the EP elections and the GRTU would not deny him that right, the Chamber said.

He would continue to exercise his duties in the GRTU but he would not speak on its behalf in matters which were controversial or non-technical, the GRTU said.