Labour leader Joseph Muscat yesterday distanced himself from controversial comments made by MP Adrian Vassallo, adding such disagreements were "healthy".

In comments to The Times, Dr Vassallo launched a tirade against pornography in hotels and on television and said he preferred to live in a country like Iran and join street riots to defend his religion than live in a place where faith was ridiculed.

A spokesman for the Labour leader said Dr Muscat said he "certainly" did not share such "preferences" but added that Dr Vassallo had a right to express himself like everyone else.

"Having different opinions in one's parliamentary group is certainly healthy, especially on moral issues. Dr Muscat's principles are well known, endorsed by the party's general conference... and shared by an overwhelming majority in the Labour Party," the spokesman said.

Asked whether any action would be taken against Dr Vassallo, the spokesman said: "Dr Muscat deals very seriously with various issues like corruption and financial management. On the other hand, Dr Muscat does not aspire to lead a party that censors people."

Meanwhile, Labour's online arm Maltastar.com carried an editorial comparing Dr Vassallo's comments to the "hilarious" "gaffe" of Nationalist MP Edwin Vassallo, who was recently quoted as saying that what went on in bedrooms was in some respects the government's business, even though he later clarified his statement.

Maltastar.com said Dr Vassallo's preference to fight for religion rather than live in a country that allowed porn was "entirely legitimate" but not the official view of the Labour Party. It was better to have an MP with such beliefs than a minister who did not report allegations of corruption, the website argued.

However, the founder of the Front Against Censorship, Mark Camilleri was not as clement. Dr Vassallo should resign immediately and if not, Dr Muscat should sack him, Mr Camilleri said.

"Dr Vassallo made a statement in favour of theocracy and dictatorship. As an MP working in a free democratic state you are expected to believe in basic democratic values," Mr Camilleri said.

He said the conservative faction of the Labour Party should toe the party's progressive line or resign.

The Front Against Censorship said it was shocked and disappointed by Dr Vassallo's comments, adding that such views went contrary to what the majority of Maltese citizens believed.

Describing Iran as a place renowned for infringing on civil liberties, the Front said it was a country where people were executed for being homosexual or critical towards the Muslim state. "We hope Dr Vassallo is not in the business of making Malta a similar place," it said.

A parliamentary question by Dr Vassallo about pornography in hotels sparked a police investigation but the Ministry of Justice yesterday refused to elaborate on what the investigation entailed and simply directed The Times to the police.

No replies were forthcoming from the police at the time of writing. Dr Vassallo's comments sparked a strong online reaction, prompting the creation of a Facebook group aimed at raising funds to buy the MP a one-way ticket to Iran.

More than 100 Facebook users joined the group yesterday, where they poked fun at Dr Vassallo and criticised his comments.

A number of Labour Party youths and local councillors also joined the group, including the general secretary of the Labour Youth Forum, Alex Saliba, and a member of the Labour Party's national executive, Nikita Alamango.

Mr Saliba urged others to join the group and said that Dr Vassallo was definitely in the wrong party.

Other Labour sympathisers said Dr Vassallo should apologise, with one asking whether the MP also supported the public hanging of gay people in Iran since this was also done in the name of religion.

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