Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli said she is “very uncomfortable” with the “brains, boobs and balls” comment made by the head of the Employment and Training Corporation towards a female subordinate.

Speaking to the Times of Malta, Dr Dalli shook her head in disapproval at the comment, saying it was “not good at all”.

Dr Dalli was reacting to a Facebook comment by ETC chief executive Philip Rizzo beneath a swimsuit photo of newly appointed department head Olivia Farrugia.

In what appears to have been an ill-conceived compliment, Mr Rizzo wrote: “This is the only ETC Head of Division with the three Bs… Brains, Boobs and Balls! She’s a very capable lady.”

The Facebook post won him no applause from the minister, who said such comments were “certainly out of place for a person occupying such a position”.

Asked if she would have felt comfortable working with someone who addressed her in such a way she said: “Not just me, it could be any woman. No, I feel very uncomfortable.”

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