‘I was not kicked upstairs’ – John Dalli

Social Policy Minister John Dalli says his is looking forward to an active job, with lots of exposure when he assumes the job as EU Commissioner.

“When you kick someone upstairs you put him in the attic,” he tells The Sunday Times in an interview.

Mr Dalli who was last Thursday nominated to the Health and Consumer Affairs portfolio, would not be drawn into commenting about his well-known strained relationship with the Prime Minister.

“I won’t hesitate to comment on what the Prime Minister is thinking. He wanted to take a specific direction and I wish to believe that he took decisions in the interest of the country.”

He says he is prepared to face the MEPs during the Commissioners’ grilling in January and strongly denies he has any business interests which can cause a conflict of interest.

“I am not ready to sell myself or my soul. But we need to make it clear we are open to any dialogue.”

Mr Dalli says he will do his utmost to reach his objectives despite the bureaucracy that comes with the job.

Watch excerpts of the interview by clicking the link above. Read the interview in today’s edition of The Sunday Times.