Joe Debono Grech’s resignation from the Malta Labour Party has nothing to do with the election of the new leader, sources within the veteran Labour MP’s family confirmed with MaltaToday.
Debono Grech tendered his resignation on Saturday after 50 years militating within the party. In his resignation letter, the former minister did not state the official reason for relinquishing his membership with the party. However many interpreted his move as one directly linked with the newly elected party leader, Joseph Muscat.
Debono Grech had endorsed Marie-Louise Coleiro-Preca during the electoral campaign for the post of MLP leader. “Definitely my father’s resignation has nothing whatsoever to do with the election of Joseph Muscat as Party leader,” said Debono Grech’s daughter Joanne, when contacted by MaltaToday Midweek.
Asked to divulge the main reason behind her father’s resignation, Joanne insisted that: “for the good of the party, it’s too early to talk about this issue.”
Labour secretary-general Jason Micallef said he is not accepting Debono Grech’s resignation. “We’re working on this issue and we are giving our 100% to convince Joe Debono Grech to withdraw his resignation,” he told MaltaToday.
Further talks and mediation between Labour officials and the Debono Grechs are still under way.