Minister for Justice and Culture Owen Bonnici said he could understand Jason Micallef’s sentiment which he expressed on Facebook, but still agreed with the decision taken by the Prime Minister to keep Konrad Mizzi as minister.

In comments to The Malta Independent, the minister said that Jason Micallef simply expressed his disappointment at the latest news.

“The latest events have tarnished the good things that this government is doing and I can fully understand Micallef’s sentiment and those individuals who expressed their disappointment,” he said.

On Saturday, V18 Chairman Jason Micallef expressed his concern about the current political situation in the country, saying that the 1 May celebrations this year were obscured by those who are “untouchable” even when they “pierced a hole in the ship to the detriment of the captain and passengers”.

The former Secretary General of the Labour Party spoke out against the “unbridled egoism” of those who have an uncontrolled desire for money and power. Without mentioning names, the reference to No-Portfolio Minister Konrad Mizzi and OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri was evident.

Despite understanding Jason Micallef’s sentiment, Minister Owen Bonnici still agrees with the Prime Minister’s decision to retain Dr Mizzi as minister and Mr Schembri as chief of staff.

“We now look forward to keep doing the good for this country, even on a cultural level,” he concluded.

The minister never answered to a question if he spoke to Jason Micallef since his outburst on Facebook or not.

When contacted by this newsroom, Jason Micallef said he had nothing more to add then what he already said in his Facebook status.

When asked whether he spoke to the Minister for Culture, Micallef brushed off the need for him to consult with his minister.

“I did not meet the minister and I don’t think that I had to do so. God forbid we reach a state where I have to speak to the minister before posting something online.”