Labour’s head of delegation in Brussels, Joseph Cuschieri, is not seeking re-election at May’s European Parliament election and is accusing his party of “manipulation” and of pushing other candidates.

Announcing his decision during an interview on Xejk TV, Mr Cuschieri, 46, alleged Labour had already chosen its three candidates to take their seat in Brussels and he was not prepared to be “on the side of the losers”.

Mr Cuschieri, considered to be a party stalwart who came from traditional Labour rank and file, said he had decided not to contest after meetings with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Labour president Daniel Micallef.

“Despite putting forward my concerns that the party machinery was backing those who it wanted to be elected, nothing has changed,” Mr Cuschieri said.

Party machinery allowed some candidates to manipulate the situation

His decision was immediately backed by Labour MP Marlene Farrugia who, in a Facebook post, said: “The party machinery is destroying the Labour movement.”

When contacted, Mr Cuschieri did not name the three candidates who he claimed Labour was backing and insisted he did not wish to comment further.

“For now, I said what I have to say. I will say more when the time comes,” he said.

He was not expecting any “red carpet treatment” by the party: “All I wanted was a level playing field where all candidates were on the same footing. However, the party machinery has allowed some candidates to manipulate the situation to their own advantage and I don’t think this is acceptable.”

In reaction, a PL spokesman said: “The party has no issue with Joseph Cuschieri and looks forward to working with him.”

Mr Cuschieri said that, as soon as his mandate ends next month, he would return to his job as a party employee. Mr Cuschieri was elected as an MEP in 2009 after voluntarily vacating his seat in Parliament for Dr Muscat to be co-opted and then become leader of the Opposition.

However, the 46-year-old had to wait until 2012 to take up his seat in Brussels as Malta’s sixth seat only become available after a new EU treaty and a related protocol were approved.

After ex-MEP Louis Grech left Brussels to join Dr Muscat’s Cabinet, Mr Cuschieri was appointed head of the Labour delegation.

He is the third Labour MEP not contesting May’s election, joining the retiring John Attard Montalto and Claudette Abela Baldacchino, who is facing criminal charges for alleged EU fund abuse.