The newly elected Sliema council suffered its first resignation today, that of former councillor Julian Galea, who had ended his term on the previous council embroiled in a controversy over recordings in which he was heard saying that he has a phobia of Labourites.

In a statement tonight, Mr Galea said that "considering the controversy created following the release of the illegal private recording taken way out of context, I have decided to step down with immediate effect in the interest of the newly elected Sliema Council, so as to ensure that this controversy will in no way tamper the work and challenges that this council faces."

In the recordings, Mr Galea also claimed he paid Labourites less than their Nationalist co-workers.

The Employment and Relations director is investigating the claims, which Mr Galea had apologised for.

In his statement tonight, Mr Galea said:

"May I reaffirm once again my immediate and expressed apology to all those who felt insulted following what was aired on various sections of the media.

"In no way did I ever want to offend anyone and I have always shown full and equal respect to all the residents, my employees and customers.

"In the local elections of last Saturday, I was elected to the Sliema Local Council for the third consecutive time. I would like to personally thank all the Sliema residents for giving me their support over the past years and in particular over the past weeks during the campaign.

"For this I am deeply grateful. During my tenure as a councillor I always tried to give my best to all the Sliema residents irrespective of their political leanings.

"The elected Sliema council has a huge responsibility to deliver the best in the shortest possible time and to give back the dignity that residents deserve out of this new local administration.

"For this reason I wish all the best to all the newly elected members and remind them to always work in the interest of Sliema."