Hundreds turned up this morning to pay their final respects to former PN Tourism Minister Michael Refalo, who passed away on Tuesday.

People spilled over into the street at Stella Maris Church in Sliema as politicians from both sides of the spectrum attended the funeral.

Dr Refalo’s contribution in the fields of politics and journalism were acknowledged during the ceremony.

A former editor of the PN’s newspaper Il-Mument, Dr Refalo was described as a person who always sought the truth and refrained from sensationalism. 

Former Prime Ministers Eddie Fenech Adami and Lawrence Gonzi, who both worked with Dr Refalo in the past, were in attendance. 

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was also in attendance, together with Deputy Speaker Censu Galea representing the House.