Leading criminal lawyer Emmanuel Mallia yesterday denied that his acceptance of a role on the Labour Party's business forum had brought him a step closer to contesting the next general election on the PL ticket.
When contacted yesterday, Dr Mallia said he was approached by PL leader to form part of this forum because Joseph Muscat thought he could be an asset to the team.
"I see the position as legal adviser to the Labour Party's business forum as the right place where I can take note of the various complaints made by the various business sectors... In this spirit, I can make a valid contribution in the preparation of reports about various business interests, highlighting even legal reform or administrative measures so that matters can be made easier for businesses."
He said his law firm represented a number of businessmen and through this, he lived the frustrations faced by businessmen due to bureaucracy; the delay to get clear answers to queries from departments and ministries; lack of proper incentives and a lack of knowledge about certain EU policies that may help local businessmen.
"Through the forum, I intend making my contribution so that the party in power will improve things. The forum is a result of positive thinking by the party and I feel I can surely contribute to its success," he said.
Dr Mallia was actively involved in the structures of the Nationalist Party in the 1970s and admits that he always kept alive his interest in politics.
Sometime after Dr Muscat took over the party's leadership, the lawyer was linked with the Labour Party as a possible election candidate.
In an interview last year, Dr Mallia confirmed that he had been approached by the Labour leader at a social event and they later held one to one meetings.
Asked whether he would join the PL in the next coming election, Dr Mallia said: "I live for the day... I have two young children and I want to concentrate on their care and upbringing. I cannot deny that politics interests me but it is not something that I am actively considering right now though I have a lot of people are encouraging me to do so."