Independent MEP candidate Arnold Cassola has apologised for an “unintentional slip of the tongue during the KSU debate” which led him to utter a swear word.

“I was repeating the phrase "kemm Alla halaq" and for some reason I got into a tongue twister that came out as a very bad swear word, Cassola said in a statement.

A video of the incident is making the rounds on social media. The film shows the candidate concentrated on making his argument that he did not realise the slip-up. The person sitting next to him is seen telling Cassola what had just happened.

“I would not have even realized had not the audience started laughing," Cassola said in his statement.

“I sincerely apologise for this unforgiveable phrase, which was totally unintentional, out of context and which does not form part of my vocabulary.

“My sincere apologies to all those present and beyond,” he said.