Yana Mintoff Bland, Dom Mintoff's daughter, said today that rather than tears for his loss, her father would have wanted his supporters to work for his ideals.

Speaking in a One TV interview, Ms Mintoff Bland thanked the hundreds of people who had expressed their condolences to the family.

"My father would not not want us to weep over his loss but to work for his ideals, which included his love for the workers. He hated laziness and prejudice," she said.

Although Mr Mintoff was no longer present in body, his spirit lived on through his beliefs in equal rights, justice, equal opportunities and good working conditions, she said.

She said it had always been her father's dream to have a Malta free of foreign interference and military bases, a country which created jobs and provided social services.

Ms Mintoff Bland – who used to live abroad – said she was grateful for the last two years she had lived with him in Malta. She expressed appreciation to Mr Mintoff's carers, doctors and therapist and said that every day was a victory. She said that in his last moments she had told him that he had worked hard, and now he deserved to rest.

MINTOFF'S LAST MOMENTS

Fr Dionysius Mintoff described his older brother's last moments.

He said that up to 2 p.m. yesterday he was weak and his breathing was shallow. But he then recovered well and started talking.

He then told his daughters that he was tired and asked them to draw the curtains so that he could sleep. They did so, he went to sleep and passed away.

Mr Mintoff passed away around 8.30 p.m. yesterday. He was 96.

Fr Mintoff praised Mr Mintoff's daughters Anne and Yana and said it was through their love and dedicated 24-hour care, particularly in the past two years, that he was able to live for so long.

The Times will tomorrow feature a series of interviews with people who were close to the former prime minister.

BOOK OF CONDOLENCE

The Labour Party said a Book of Condolence will be open in the foyer of its headquarters in Hamrun tomorrow between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. and on Thursday from 8.30 am. to 3 p.m.