Veteran Labour MP Joe Debono Grech has written to the Speaker to apologise unreservedly for comments he made in the House earlier this week against independent MP Marlene Farrugia.

Mr Debono Grech said his outburst stemmed from his well-known character but he did not mean to hurt anyone and he bore no grudges.  

He pointed out that he was making this formal apology  on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

On Friday Mr Debono Grech had a heated exchange with Dr Farrugia warning her: Nigi ghalik u nifqghek (I will come to beat you up).

But in his letter today he said he meant no disrespect to Dr Farrugia or women in general.

The Labour Party, of which he formed part, was historically always in the vanguard of promoting women’s rights, he said.

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