Former Malta Union of Teachers president, John Bencini, has resigned from his post as president of the FORUM grouping of trade unions after participating in a Labour Party candidate’s political activity.

Sources said Mr Bencini breached the confederation’s statute by participating in this political activity. This caused uproar among the confederation’s affiliates, who said this was “unacceptable”.

The meeting he participated in was held on Tuesday at at ir-Razzett l-Antik in Qormi and was an activity organised by Labour candidate Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on education.

When contacted, FORUM general secretary confirmed that Mr Bencini had resigned but said that this resignation was “not officially” linked to his participation at the political event.

He said Mr Bencini had wanted to resign some two or three weeks ago to make space for new blood within the confederation but he had asked him to hold on to the resignation letter and reconsider.

He said that at that point, he had not known of commitments of a political nature which Mr Bencini had accepted, in breach of the confederation statute, which bans such participation.

Mr Pace insisted that Mr Bencini had not been asked to resign but then admitted that his resignation came following Mr Bencini’s direct participation in political activities.

Some of Forum’s affiliates, 11 trade unions, expressed their disappointment at certain remarks Mr Bencini passed in his capacity as Forum president, on Labour’s energy proposals.

Mr Bencini has been president of FORUM since 2009.

John Bencini confirms resignation

When contacted, Mr Bencini confirmed he had resigned his post but insisted that it had “nothing to do with the political activity” organised by Dr Coleiro Preca.

“I intended to resign on 31 December (2012) but Paul Pace asked me to reconsider. I waited a few days and submitted my resignation with immediate effect. I attended the event which was on education and other speakers included Professor Carmel Borg from University and a teacher. I went there to discuss education, which is my field as a teacher and a former president of the Malta Union of Teachers for 15 years.”

Mr Bencini said he had accepted to participate in the discussion when he already intended to leave his post at Forum and insisted that he does not believe he breached the Forum statute.

FORUM'S statement

In a statement this afternoon, FORUM said that in a letter dated December 29,  Mr Bencini stated that “after careful consideration” he believed that it was time for him to step down to make space for new blood.

Mr Pace said he asked Mr Bencini to reconsider and insisted that at no time following that letter was Mr Bencini ever asked to resign.

“It is to be made amply clear that Mr Bencini’s resignation has absolutely nothing to do with his participation with any political event as he had sent his letter of resignation more than a fortnight before the said event took place.”

FORUM thanked Mr Bencini for his dedication towards the welfare and benefit of workers.