Labour MP criticises decision to redeploy Norman Vella

From The Times of Malta

Labour MP Marlene Farrugia has criticised the government's decision to order broadcaster Norman Vella to return to his old post in the Immigration Office.

In a facebook post, the MP said she wants to live in a country where everyone is given the opportunity to use his or her talents without prejudice, whatever the political, religious or sexual orientation,

Norman Vella, she noted, had carried off every journalism award in the country and his programme TVHemm, was the third most viewed.

Independently of whether or not one agreed with what he said or what was said, the fact remained , locking this talent in a glass cubicle stamping passports or simply staring was a wrong decision which cast a shadow on the protagonists which took this decision. The words 'Wrong Decision' and 'Protagonists' were in capital letters.

Dr Farrugia said the people had got rid of the PN because they did not want such things - and there had been many.

'Wouldn't it be better to lead by example...'. she asked.

In a reaction, Mr Vella said the 'real' politicians were those who were able to take a stand, however difficult, and even when their electorate did not necessarily agree with them. He thanked Dr Farrugia

Last week, Mr Vella was informed by the Office of the Prime Minister not to report to work at the State broadcasting station tomorrow and to resume his duties at the Immigration Office.

A civil servant, Mr Vella had been seconded to PBS. His programme ended on Friday.

When contacted, he said he had joined Where’s Everybody in 2006 on a part-time basis and then applied for a full-time job in 2007. He did this after taking unpaid leave from his civil service job, in line with the collective agreement, between 2007 and 2012, he added.

He then resigned from Where’s Everybody, returned to the civil service and was then seconded to PBS.

However, last month, he was informed that the Home Affairs Ministry had requested the Office of the Prime Minister for the secondment to be revoked, he said.

The government denied that the decision to stop his deployment at PBS was political.