The GRTU president and his deputy have no intention of stepping down or suspending themselves after being charged with perjury, saying they still enjoy the unanimous backing of the executive council.

The president of the Malta Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU), Paul Abela, 64, of Naxxar and the deputy president, Philip Fenech, 60, of Sliema last Monday pleaded not guilty to lying under oath and subordinating witnesses before Magistrate Doreen Clarke.

GRTU will not be intimidated by aggressive and violent people

The GRTU’s top two officials, as well its former director general, Vince Farrugia, who is also pleading not guilty, were accused of distorting the course of justice during a criminal case against former council member Sandro Chetcuti. The latter was convicted of assaulting Mr Farrugia and given a one-year suspended jail term.

Contacted yesterday, both Mr Abela and Mr Fenech ruled out stepping down or suspending themselves even for the duration of the court proceedings. They noted that the matter had been debated by the GRTU council, which unanimously expressed its full confidence in both.

In a statement issued on Monday, the GRTU said both officials would retain their posts and that it would not be intimidated by aggressive and violent people in its quest to safeguard its members. Such behaviour against any GRTU employee or official will never be tolerated, it said.