The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association is expressing “full support” for its president Matthew Pace, who is operating a restaurant without the appropriate permits.

The MHRA was reacting to a story published by Times of Malta revealing that Mr Pace was facing legal action from the Tourism Authority for operating a Marsascala restaurant without a class 6 cooking permit.

Catering establishments cannot prepare food on site without the document.

Despite this, the MHRA yesterday issued a press statement saying it had discussed the matter with Mr Pace and was satisfied with his version of events.

Times of Malta yesterday contacted all the members of the MHRA executive committee before the press statement was issued.

Senior vice president and hotelier Tony Zahra did not reply to questions sent but instead sent the press statement.

Treasurer Ben Muscat, on the other hand, argued that Mr Pace’s efforts to regularise his position showed a commitment to transparent business practice, which the association expected from all its members.

He said the executive had been made aware of Mr Pace’s situation before taking over and he had no problem with his situation.

General secretary Hugh Peralta declined to comment saying he had reached the end of his tenure and was no longer actively participating in the MHRA.

Mr Pace had pointed his finger at the property owner, Alexander Cutajar, insisting the contract he had signed to rent out the restaurant stipulated that the property had all the adequate licensing.

This, Mr Pace had claimed, was not the case, adding that he had since tried to obtain adequate licencing but had not been provided with the necessary planning documents by the landlord.

Asked if he felt the situation compromised his position as association head and whether he would resign, Mr Pace had said there was “absolutely no reason to even consider resigning”.

Mr Pace and Mr Cutajar remain locked in a legal dispute over who is responsible for the lack of proper licencing.