Labour MP Marlene Farrugia yesterday criticised the fact that ministers will now have to seek the Prime Minister’s approval before giving comments or interviews to the press, as stipulated in the revised Ministerial Code of Ethics.

Speaking on Radio Malta’s programme Għandi Xi Ngħid, Dr Farrugia said such a practice would turn Cabinet members into “puppets on a string”. The outspoken MP, who recently addressed a protest against the Żonqor university project organised by the Nationalist Party, said: “Nothing is better than allowing each member of a team to reach their full potential by letting them offer ideas and debate them.”

Dr Farrugia criticised the way her partner Godfrey Farrugia was treated by staff at the Office of the Prime Ministrer when he was health minister and was also critical of various “elements” inside the government whose interests, she said, were not in line with the national interest.

Dr Farrugia said the government could be losing the backing of its strongest supporters, mentioning the allegations related to the expropriation deal for Marco Gaffarena.

Insisting she would not leave the Labour Party, she said her criticism of the government was aimed at preventing it from “misleading the public.”

Turning to the environment, Dr Farrugia said the Labour Party electoral manifesto spoke of sustainable economic development which means that decisions should not be taken that undermine such sustainability.

She said she often spoke to the Prime Minister about her concern for the environment and that she would oppose construction in outside development zone areas.