My attention has been drawn to an article in your newspaper written by Dr Malcolm Mifsud (TMID, 2 February) in which he mentions my intervention at the recent National Party Congress of the Maltese Labour Party. Firstly, can I say that I do not know Dr Mifsud even though I understand that he is an alternate member of the Committee of Regions. Dr Mifsud is under the mistaken impression that I addressed the party congress in my capacity as leader of the UK Labour Group in CoR; in this he is just plain wrong and really should check his facts before writing such articles.

The reality is that I attended the Maltese Labour Party congress as the personal representative of Madam Mercedes Bresso, the President of the Piedmont Region in Northern Italy and the leader of the PES in the CoR. I have to tell both Dr Mifsud and your readers that I actually represented the whole of the PES in the CoR. We have 224 members, 112 of whom are full members. This represents some 32.6 per cent of the total CoR and we have members from right across the EU including a very strong and effective team from the Maltese Labour Party. In fact between us we represent hundreds of countries, regions, cities, and towns.

I would respectfully suggest that this, far from being “foreign interference” as Dr Mifsud suggests, is in reality a powerful message of support and solidarity from right across the EU to the Maltese Labour Party as it fights the general election. It also recognises the important and influential role that members of the Maltese Labour Party are playing not only in the CoR but also the European Parliament. These Labour Party members have truly made themselves the strong and effective voice of the Maltese people in Europe.

Finally, now that I have put the record straight, can I say on a personal note what a wonderful country Malta is? It was my first visit and I loved every minute of it, the scenery, the architecture, but most of all your lovely people. I look forward to returning in the very near future hopefully to be greeted by Prime Minister Alfred Saint.

Cllr Dave Quayle

PES