Malta Employers Association president Joshua Zammit has denied reports of internal strife after comments he made on One News were interpreted as supporting Labour’s energy proposals.

Although the MEA’s position and his comments were brought up during a meeting of the council last week, there was no real dividing issue, Mr Zammit told The Times.

He also clarified that his comments to One News were not in support of Labour’s proposals.

Sources close to the MEA’s council described last Monday’s meeting as “hot” where various members strongly objected to the comments made by Mr Zammit on Labour’s energy proposals without the knowledge of the council.

Confirming that the issue was raised during the meeting, Mr Zammit played down the objections insisting “there was no issue” and it was just a normal discussion.

Asked whether his comments and MEA’s subsequent statement the day after Labour’s proposal were first approved by the council, Mr Zammit admitted they were not but said this was according to normal practice.

“Since I was appointed president we always react quickly and our press releases are never discussed by the council before they are published,” he said.

“I want to make it clear that the MEA never said that we are supporting Labour’s energy proposals. What we said is that they are interesting even though they pose many questions. Our position is that we support any proposals made to reduce energy tariffs.”

Mr Zammit – who also occupies the post of Chief Officer at Air Malta – was elected MEA president in February 2011.

An election for a new council is scheduled to take place next month.