The deputy mayor of Għarb has resigned from the Nationalist Party almost two weeks after being charged in court, The Sunday Times has learnt.

When contacted, a spokesman for the Nationalist Party confirmed the party received a letter of resignation from “a councillor in the post of deputy mayor in a Gozitan locality because of charges brought against him accusing him of defilement of minors”.

The court ordered a ban on publication of the 40-year-old man’s name even though he is not a relative of the complainant.

The PN spokesman said: “This resignation, coming from the councillor, was made so that the councillor in question can defend his innocence without prejudicing the party.”

This is the second PN councillor to resign in as many weeks, after the party effectively kicked out Sliema mayor Nikki Dimech who signed a statement which said he had asked for commission from a council employee. Mr Dimech has since denied the allegations and is insisting he only admitted to the charge after being forced to do so by the police.

Insisting Mr Dimech’s position had become untenable, the party spokesman said: “The PN reiterates the party’s stand that all elected councillors should seek the moral high ground in their role as representatives of the people within their locality, a position already made clear when the PN dismissed Sliema mayor Nikki Dimech after he failed to tender his resignation.”

When contacted, the deputy mayor, who works as a fitter with Gozo Channel, refused to comment.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com