There was more humiliation for outgoing Prime Minister Joseph Muscat – only this time it was self-inflicted.

Muscat today  pulled out of a Rome migration conference "at the last minute", according to Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 

Muscat was due to speak about migration at the MED 2019 conference, an annual high-level initiative promoted by the Italian government.

Muscat today was shunned by Italian PM Giuseppe Conte who, as reported by The Malta Independent yesterday, cancelled the business lunch they had programmed. A spokesperson for Conte’s office told The Malta Independent that Conte preferred “other commitments” than to meet the Maltese premier

The embattled prime minister had his official audience with the Pope on Saturday relegated to a private visit without the presence of the media.

Muscat has announced his intention to step down in January, although there is mounting pressure for him to resign immediately.