The police will not be charging former Marsa mayor Chris Spiteri over sexual abuse allegations because the alleged incidents are time-barred.

The alleged incidents were time-barred and also waived by the person involved

Asked about the case, which led to Mr Spiteri’s sudden resignation from the Marsa council last month, the police media officer said the matter had been investigated some time ago.

“However, charges have not been issued since the alleged incidents were time-barred and also waived by the person involved.”

The allegations first surfaced in annulment proceedings between Mr Spiteri and his wife.

These only became public when an anonymous letter, which was sent to Labour leader Joseph Muscat, was circulated to the press.

The party accepted Mr Spiteri’s resignation a day after the letter was sent.

According to the annulment sentence of the Church tribunal, Jesmond Pace, who served as secretary of the Marsa Feast Committee when Mr Spiteri was president, said several young men had come forward with claims that the former Labour mayor had sexually abused them.

Mr Spiteri has refused to comment about the case.

The anonymous letter had also spoken of “rumours” that Labour’s deputy leader for party affairs, Toni Abela, knew about the claims before the local council elections in March but did nothing about them.

Labour admitted Dr Abela, who is responsible for local council management, had been approached by Mr Spiteri’s former wife but only after the last council elections.

During the meeting, Dr Abela, a lawyer by profession, asked for further concrete information but was never provided with any.

He also checked to see if Mr Spiteri had a criminal record and then let the case lie when he found out he did not have one.

Labour also pointed out Dr Abela had not informed anyone else in the party about the matter.