Next Tuesday’s Bondiplus will debate the issue, even if it has now been resolved by Mr Buttiglione yielding to pressure to stand down and be replaced.

Former Chief Justice Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici, Professor Kenneth Wain, Marie Briguglio and Dr Andre Camilleri will debate the issue which has raised hackles all over Europe – even in Malta. There will also be interviews with David Casa and John Attard Montalto, two of Malta’s MEPs.

Rocco Buttiglione is a 56-year-old Italian, the father of four children. He is a professor of philosophy, a politician, a fervent Catholic and a personal friend and consultant to the Pope.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi nominated him to be the European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security. But when he appeared in front of the relevant committee in the European Parliament, Mr Buttiglione said he believes that homosexuality “is a sin”, although he respects their freedom.

Then, speaking on Italian television, he said that women should “enjoy the right to have children and to be protected by men.”

Predictably, these value judgements raised a huge political storm. Socialists, Liberals and Greens said he could not become the Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security after having made such pronouncements.

The Greens said his words were an “offence to Parliament” while Cathalijne Buitenweg argued: “How can I trust this man to protect gay people against discrimination, when he himself is judging homosexuality as immoral?”

European Parliament president, socialist Josep Borell, said on Europe 1 radio that Europe cannot have such a person responsible for its justice.

Mr Buttiglione himself said his personal views should not be held against him. “Many things which are considered immoral should not be prohibited. I believe homosexuality is a sin but this should not have any impact on politics unless I say that homosexuality is a criminal offence.”

He was defended solely by the European Peoples Party and, of course, by the Vatican which said the storm is “a new type of Inquisition.”Chief Justice Emeritus Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici, Professor Kenneth Wain, Marie Briguglio and Dr Andre Camilleri will be the guests who will debate the issue which has raised hackles all over Europe and even in Malta. There will also be interviews with David Casa and John Attard Montalto, two of Malta’s MEPs.

Rocco Buttiglione is a 56-year-old Italian. He is a professor of philosophy, a politician, a fervent Catholic and a personal friend and consultant to the Pope. Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi nominated him to be the European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security. But when he appeared in front of the relevant committee in the European Parliament, Mr Buttiglione said he believes that homosexuality “is a sin”, although he respects their freedom.

Then, speaking on Italian television, he said that women should “enjoy the right to have children and to be protected by men.”

Predictably, these value judgements raised a huge political storm. Socialists, Liberals and Greens said he could not become the Commissioner for Justice, Freedom and Security after having made such pronouncements.

Mr Buttiglione defended himself, saying that his personal views should not be held against him. “Many things which are considered immoral should not be prohibited.

“I believe homosexuality is a sin but this should not have any impact on politics unless I say that homosexuality is a criminal offence,” he said.

The programme will be aired on TVM tonight after the 8 o’clock news bulletin.