[attach id=260587 size="medium"]Lou Bondi[/attach]

Some of Labour’s rank and file are up in arms over Joseph Muscat’s decision to include TV presenter Lou Bondi in an 11-member committee tasked with preparing national celebrations of important anniversaries.

As many staunch Labour activists, including high ranking party officials, expressed their outrage, particularly through social media, Prime Minister Muscat yesterday defended the appointment, seeking to put his supporters’ minds at rest that he knows what he’s doing.

He acknowledged the brewing anger but said during an interview on Labour’s radio station that while he understood the response, it was important that people of different shades were involved in the organisation of national festivities.

I know what I’m doing- Joseph Muscat

He assured his audience that there would be other nominations to come from the Labour camp, adding: “I know what I am doing like I knew five years ago,” with reference to his election as Labour leader when he promised an earthquake in the party.

“If there is anyone who would be justified in being pigheaded about his (Bondi’s) appointment it would be me because I was the subject of personal attacks,” Dr Muscat argued.

But even as he spoke, social media was carrying angry comments by Labour supporters, including many threatening not to vote Labour next time round.

Labour heavyweights also joined in.

MEP Joseph Cuschieri, by far the most vociferous party official, called Mr Bondi’s appointment a “shameful decision” and an “open challenge” to genuine Maltese.

“Last March I didn’t vote for these strange decisions,” he wrote on his Facebook wall.

“At the same time thousands of Labourites are still awaiting justice on injustices committed by Lou Bondi’s government,” the MEP wrote.

“In front of these obscenities I will not keep quiet, whatever the consequences and vindictiveness others may be planning against me.”

Former Labour Minister Joe Grima did not mince his words on Dr Muscat’s latest decision.

‘This is masochism’

Referring sarcastically to Labour’s election slogan, Malta Taghna Lkoll, and calling Mr Bondi “scrap”, he asked whose idea it had been to put the TV presenter on the national festivities foundation.

“Let’s not have any illusions. This is not a new way of doing politics. This is masochism which not even Alfred Sant, who lost four times, managed to have.”

The posts provoked hundreds of responses from Labour supporters, with some suggesting that Mr Bondi should be removed and others openly disassociating themselves from the party leader.

Sources yesterday told Times of Malta that Mr Bondi’s appointment was made directly on the initiative of the Prime Minster after he had backed down on a proposal to appoint the TV presenter to the board of the Valletta 2018 Foundation.

The sources said Dr Muscat had actually offered Mr Bondi a place on the V-18 but encountered strong resistance from Jason Micallef, the newly appointed chairman of the foundation.

Contacted yesterday to confirm whether he had accepted the V-18 post, Mr Bondi declined to comment saying it was not prudent to state what he and the Prime Minister had discussed.

Asked to react to the outrage over his appointment, the TV presenter also declined to comment.

“If you have any queries please ask the Prime Minister,” he said.

Mr Micallef, who is not considered to be on the best of terms with Mr Bondi, did not wish to comment either.

While not denying that he had resisted the Prime Minister’s nomination of Mr Bondi’ to the V18 Foundation, he stressed that “these are the Prime Minister’s decisions and he has every right to make the nominations he deems best”.

Comments on Lou Bondi’s appointment (translated):

Gerald Fenech: “And the show goes on...always the same people benefit (not referring to Prof Oliver Friggieri.)”

Chris Cilia: “A bridge too far.”

Victor Balla Vella: “This is shameful and Joseph (Muscat) just confirmed that he took Labourites for a ride.”

Carmen Sammut: “You cannot construct perceptions of unity and consensus through an individual who has become a symbol of polarisation and divisiveness. Time may hopefully heal but our memories are far too fresh... so I fully empathise with the public outcry.”

Franco Debono: “I congratulate Lou Bondi on his appointment. What happened, happened. One has to look forward in life and although no one should abuse his position, everyone’s talent should be utilised. I also agree that Bondi+ should continue to be aired and I look forward to the occasion when Lou may invite me on the programme again.”

Luciano Busuttil: “I don’t know!!!”