Xgħajra councillor Doris Borg quits PN after ‘party media favoured district competitor’

Apr 14 2022

Councillor and former PN candidate Doris Borg has quit the Nationalist Party and will continue to occupy her post within the Xgħajra local councillor as an independent councillor.

In a lengthy Facebook post, Borg stated that she was sidelined on the second district, with party media giving significant promotion to the other candidate in her district, new MP Bernice Bonello.

“We were two women on the second district”, Borg said as she went on to argue that not only was she discriminated, but her dignity was trampled on.

Borg received 152 first-count votes on the second district whilst Bonello received 440 first count votes. The two were also competitors on district four, where the Xgħajra councillor received 44 first-count votes while the new MP secured 305 votes.

#MaltaDaily

Maltese taxi driver loses license after being found guilty of profiting from prostitution

Apr 14 2022

After admitting that he was profiting from prostitution and pleading guilty to taking commissions from a massage parlour, a Maltese taxi driver has lost the possibility of renewing his license.

Carmel Schembri admitted to profiting from prostitution and managing a brothel and was given a 14-month jail sentence suspended for two years along with a fine of €1,500.

Schembri did not persuade the Court of Justice to revoke Transport Malta’s decision to withdraw his license after the Court ruled that the law did not give the authority the discretion.

When debating the decision, Schembri argued that it was unfair and that considerations were irrelevant and out of proportion, sustaining that he always offered the best service to his clients and that it was his only livelihood. On the other side of the coin, Transport Malta held that a tag cannot be issued if an individual is found guilty of such charges.

Schembri was reportedly renting out properties in Hamrun, Luqa and St. Paul’s to use them as massage parlours, with the Malta Police Force uncovering that they were being used as brothels.

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Alicia Bugeja Said and Rebecca Buttigieg sworn in as Parliamentary Secretaries

Apr 14 2022

Rebecca Buttigieg and Alicia Bugeja Said have officially been sworn in as Parliamentary Secretaries early today.

On Wednesday, Buttigieg was elected via casual election on the ninth district, with Bugeja Said getting into Parliament through the gender corrective mechanism.

In a recent Facebook post, Prime Minister Robert Abela welcomed the two’s entry into Parliament, sustaining that the equality and reform sectors require further change in order to ensure a more just society.

He went on to state that our country must look towards improving Malta’s fishing and aquaculture and protect the interests of fishermen whilst exploring new possibilities and opportunities. With regards to animal rights, Abela said that the government has a number of solid proposals it will be implementing this legislature.

Earlier today, Andy Ellul was also appointed Labour Party whip, replacing Glenn Bedingfield.

#MaltaDaily

Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul appointed Labour Party Whip; replaces Glenn Bedingfield

Apr 14 2022

Andy Ellul, Parliamentary Secretary for Social Dialogue within the Office of the Prime Minister has been appointed whip of the Labour Party Parliamentary Group.

Ellul first got co-opted into parliament back in January 2022 after former Member of Parliament Silvio Grixti resigned. Ellul contested the last election on districts one and three, getting elected directly on the third.

Naomi Cachia will serve as Ellul’s assistant whip after getting into Parliament via the gender corrective mechanism on Tuesday.

Andy Ellul will replace Glenn Bedingfield, who served as Labour Party Whip during the past legislature.

#MaltaDaily