An unusual judicial protest has been filed against Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, to try to stop him from reappointing Manuel Mallia as a minister.

Dr Muscat, while keeping his cards close to his chest, fired back immediately and in a counter-protest defended his right to reappoint the controversial politician to an executive post.

Frank Teuma, who describes himself as the spokesman of a newly-founded political group – a one-man band calling itself Moviment Laburisti Batuti – filed the judicial protest saying his movement felt Dr Mallia should not again be given a ministerial role.

Signed by lawyer Leslie Cuschieri, the protest states that Dr Mallia’s past “is tarnished with grave mistakes, which show he is not fit to become minister”, especially since such a post required honesty and integrity.

He claimed Dr Mallia never had Labour’s principles at heart and “he is not even a Labourite today.

Responding, Dr Muscat denied all the allegations made against Dr Mallia and warned Mr Teuma and his movement that legal action would be taken if he persisted with his allegations. Dr Muscat said the appointment of ministers
was his sole prerogative and did not fall under any judicial process.

More in Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.

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