An investigation into a comment made by former Nationalist Sliema councillor Julian Galea – that he paid Nationalist employees more than their Labourite colleagues – has concluded he was just bluffing.
I am not a vindictive person and it never crossed my mind to record anyone... Cowards do this
The investigation by the Employment and Industrial Relations director revealed there was no basis to Mr Galea’s politically loaded and discriminatory statements.
Mr Galea, who runs a Valletta catering establishment, made headlines in the last week of the March local council elections campaign when a recording was made public in which he was heard saying he had a phobia of Labourites.
He also claimed he paid them less than their Nationalist co-workers.
The 30-year-old former politician was recorded during an informal council meeting.
In the recording, Mr Galea was heard saying that if a girl had to tell him she was a Labourite, he would discard her and that at his place of work, Labourite employees were paid less than the Nationalists.
He apologised soon after the recording was made public, saying his remarks were wrong and did not reflect his or his party’s beliefs. He reiterated his stand yesterday, explaining it was his usual way of joking.
Despite not reaching the quota, he was elected to the new council but resigned a few days later, following pressure from many quarters to step down over these comments.
Speaking to The Times yesterday, Mr Galea again expressed his regret, adding that he would not have passed those remarks had he known he was being recorded.
Expressing satisfaction with the conclusion of the investigation, with which he cooperated, Mr Galea said he had the backing of his employees, more than half of whom did not share his political beliefs.
“They know that when they needed help they got it. I never asked them who they supported when I employed them but once One (Labour’s TV and radio stations) made this whole campaign against me they texted me and called to say they were backing me.
“I am a person who jokes and yes, sometimes, I joke roughly.
“My staff and the people in the (previous) council know this. It is not the first time Labour councillors told me and other Nationalist councillors worse things, but we used to take it with a pinch of salt and walk out in peace. It was never intended to hurt anyone,” he said.
“I never meant what was said; we were playing around. Nor did I expect anyone to record me and use it in such a cheap manner.”
He said he had resigned because after serving on the council for six years the last thing he expected was to be treated like that.
Another reason was that he wanted the new council to start afresh, without unfair pressure being applied on the new mayor and councillors.
He said he could guess who was behind the recording.
“I am not a vindictive person and it never crossed my mind to record anyone and use it against them in future. Cowards do this,” he said.