Artist Patrick Dalli has refused to explain his role in the decision to scrap plans for a statue dedicated to Dom Mintoff in Castille Square and to install an abstract memorial instead.

The Sunday Times of Malta understands that Mr Dalli, husband of Civil Liberties Minister Helena Dalli, is coordinating the Mintoff memorial project.

A spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed Mr Dalli’s involvement but said he is an unpaid volunteer.

“Mr Dalli is one of the artists helping in numerous ways to achieve results in the cultural field. He is not paid by the government for his services, and like other artists is helping voluntarily,” the spokesman said.

When contacted, Mr Dalli declined to comment on his role.

“I don’t want to give you any information on whether I am involved or not.

I want you to write down that as long as I live, I won’t ever speak to the Times of Malta as they lied about me,” he said, referring to reports about ongoing works at a Żejtun farmhouse being carried out without a permit.

Mr Dalli initiated libel proceedings against the journalist who penned the story, though the farmhouse was served with an enforcement notice.

Asked to state in what capacity he is acting, Mr Dalli said: “How dare you ask me these questions.”

Artist Valerio Schembri has been commissioned through a direct order to create a large abstract memorial for Mr Mintoff in Castille Square, which is currently being embellished.

Alfred Camilleri Cauchi had originally been commissioned to design a statue.

However, the artist was later informed his project had been scrapped because Heritage Malta discovered he had already presented a model of his proposal in another competition.

Mr Camilleri Cauchi revealed that Principal Permanent Secretary Mario Cutajar took the decision not to proceed with the statue as he told the artist that he does not like his work.

The family of Mr Mintoff, who was twice Malta’s prime minister and died aged 96 in 2012, expressed surprise at the decision.

Mr Mintoff and Mr Dalli knew each other but their relationship turned sour in July 1998 when the former Labour leader voted against the government led by Alfred Sant. A group of angry Labour supporters, including Mr Dalli, had gathered outside Parliament and insulted Mr Mintoff on his way out.

In the following parliamentary session, Mr Mintoff mentioned Mr Dalli by name while requesting a breach of privilege.

“I knew him (Mr Dalli) as a friend of mine but it seems that now he sees me as a devil,” Mr Mintoff had said.

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