The PN has called on the Labour government to keep its electoral promise to safeguard trees in towns and villages following plans to uproot 14 palm trees from next to Auberge de Castille in Valletta.

The uprooting will take place to make way for the monument dedicated to former prime minister Dom Mintoff, according to environment party spokesman Charlo Bonnici.

He expressed his party’s concern at tree uprooting, which was covered by a planning permit, and queried who had established that five palm trees were infected with the red palm weevil. Mr Bonnici also asked if the consultative committee for trees, set up by the Environment Minister, was involved in the project or whether the decision was political.