Updated 4.35 p.m.

Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia this afternoon apologised for a “misunderstanding” that left journalists scratching their heads this morning when they were asked to leave a meeting by the minister before he spoke, even though they had been invited to cover the event.

Dr Farrugia said that the meeting between himself and GWU officials was a formal one, and that the press had been invited in for the first few minutes on the GWU’s request.

“After [GWU secretary general Tony Zarb] explained the union’s concerns about precarious work and said his bit, I felt it was the right time for the press to leave,” the minister said. “I apologise if I wasn’t understood but I was simply doing what I felt was right.”

Dr Farrugia also invited editors to drinks.

Journalists were also told that the minister’s partner, fellow MP Marlene Farrugia, had assumed a “voluntary” role assisting the minister within the Health Ministry. 

“This is the biggest ministry in terms of budget and employees, so it’s to be expected that people will be roped in to help,” she said. “I was tasked with this role by the Prime Minister, and if the minister asks me to attend meetings on his behalf, I am ready to do so.”

During the morning meeting,  GWU general secretary Tony Zarb emphasised the need of stamping out precarious work practices once and for all.

Mr Zarb praised the minister for having been outspoken in his condemnation of precarious work practices.

He reiterated the GWU’s position that healthcare needed to remain free and expressed confidence that the new administration would competently tackle waiting lists, hospital bed shortages and out-of-stock medications.