The Labour Party’s executive secretary Lydia Abela has been appointed secretary of the Cooperatives Board, which acts as advisor to the government on matters related to cooperatives.

Dr Abela is married to the son of President George Abela, Robert, who addressed a Labour mass meeting during the election campaign.

Apart from Dr Abela, other members of the board have close associations with the Labour Party.

Rita Law and Joe Abela, both former Labour MPs, and Lorna Vassallo, a PL candidate, are also on the board. The committee is chaired by Frances Mifsud.