The resignation letter by the Kercem local councillor who faced “serious charges” in court last week arrived this morning, mayor Mario Azzopardi confirmed to The Malta Independent.

The resignation comes days after Labour Party deputy leader Chris Cardona had told this newspaper that Raymond Azzopardi would be presenting his resignation “soon”.

Dr Cardona had not specified “when” but had said that the resignation would come later that same day. However, as the mayor confirmed, the resignation letter was only received this morning.

The Minister had said that the Labour Party cannot afford to have a Local Councillor with such serious charges levelled against him.

A former TV sports journalist who used to work with the media of the Nationalist Party, Manuel Gauci, and who faced similar charges in court, has been stripped of an honour bestowed upon him just two weeks ago by the Nationalist Party. He was also dismissed from his part-time employment at the MFA and his representation on the MFA’s Council removed. He will also have a career honour given to him by the Sports Journalists Association withdrawn.