Carm Mifsud Bonnici said officers had served at police related events. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Members of the police force were never used as caterers or waiters for events unrelated to the corps by the previous government, former Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici told The Sunday Times of Malta.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici said the police force had its own kitchen and usually catered for internal dinners or lunches hosted by the Police Commissioner – but never for an event like the one held last Thursday.

Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia attracted widespread criticism after hosting a banquet on Thursday for European Broadcasting Union delegates at the Prime Minister’s official country residence in Girgenti.

The police force, which also falls under Dr Mallia’s political responsibility, provided food through its catering unit.

Sources said most of the preparation took place at the Police Depot in Floriana and was transported to Girgenti in Siġġiewi before the event.

This was very humiliating for the officers involved

Around 25 police officers doubled as waiters at the event while the official police band provided entertainment.

The banquet was organised by Dr Mallia’s ministry since broadcasting forms part of his portfolio. Around 300 guests in Malta for the EBU’s general assembly were present.

Contacted yesterday, Dr Mifsud Bonnici, who served as Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs between 2003 and 2008, when he was then promoted to minister, said this had never happened under his watch.

“The police force was never involved in such an event, especially since it had nothing to do with the police. Usually, the police kitchen prepared the food, and police officers double as waiters but these were always internal events. This (the Girgenti banquet) was very humiliating for the police officers involved,” he said.

“If it’s an internal event, I’d understand, but this was not connected to the police and it was a mistake,” Dr Mifsud Bonnici said.

A policeman who served delegates on Thursday said officers had been asked whether they wanted to help at such an event and he submitted his name. He confirmed that the police catering unit prepared all the food.

“It would have been better if we got paid for the days of overtime we are owed for the (March) election period because we’re still without it,” he said on condition of anonymity.

Asked whether they had attended any food-handling courses – as people handling food are legally bound to do – the officer said most of those who were helping out had worked as waiters or in the catering industry before joining the police force so they had a certain level of experience.

During the event, they were assisted by professionals from the Institute of Tourism Studies.

Thursday’s event was hosted by Dr Mallia but Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s wife Michelle welcomed guests at Girgenti on behalf of her husband, who was attending the EU summit in Brussels.

Dr Mallia confirmed in Parliament on Friday that the meal had taken place. He insisted officers had volunteered to act as waiters, though sources had told Times of Malta that between 25 and 30 officers had been ordered to leave their stations and report for work at Girgenti.

Sources said the force was chosen to provide the food to save money on outside catering. Having police officers serve as waiters was also a cost-cutting initiative, they said.