Sunday, 15 July 2007

Labour MEPs banned from standing in national election

Louis Grech decides not to quash false reports about him

Rumour that Louis Grech a socialist European parliamentary would be contesting as a candidate in the next general elections and had been promised a ministerial post was ruled out yesterday. More oddly even Louis Grech chose not to quash the rumours, which have turned out to be untruths. When contacted MLP Secretary General Jason Micallef argued that all the three MEPs had a commitment with the party that they would not contest the next general election.
“There is no truth in the story that appeared in il-Mument that Louis Grech will stand as candidate or has been offered a ministerial post by Dr Sant.”
Louis Grech a bon vivant served as Chief executive of the national airline Air Malta on an annual pay packet of Lm56,000. Yet, he fell out of favour with Austin Gatt when the latter took over Air Malta from Josef Bonnici.
The brusque minister had at the time pinpointed at mismanagement and overspending at Air Malta. Louis Grech was re-appointed Chairman of Air Malta by the 1998 Nationalist government amidst strong opposition from some cabinet ministers.
On leaving Air Malta was quickly wooed by the Labour party, standing out next to his less colourful candidates for his passion for fast cars and the good life.
When contacted yesterday to deny or confirm the rumours about his interest in leaving Brussels and standing in the local national election and pressed if he was considering such a move, Grech said that he did not wish to comment further on the issue.
In a story published in last Sunday’s ‘Il-Mument’, it was stated that Labour leader Alfred Sant held a secret meeting with Grech where the latter was asked to contest the election on the 10th District to interfere with Labour Deputy leader Michael Falzon’s bid for parliament in his own backyard.
The story also alleged that Sant has already offered a ministerial post to Grech should he get elected.