The Nationalist Party’s College of Councillors condemned what it said was the “use of public funds by the Tarxien mayor Paul Farrugia to promote an activity organised by the Malta Labour Party”.

In a statement, the college president Malcolm Mifsud said the mayor used public funds and the council’s publication to promote the MLP’s local council congress held in October.

The Labour mayor chose to publish an article and photo to describe what went on during the said congress, Dr Mifsud said.

“It is not the first time that a Labour mayor chose to use a council publication, delivered to all residents, to promote this party congress,” he added.

He said mayors should be responsible and ensure that local councils observe regulations as well as ethics. This meant not utilising public funds for “cheap propaganda”.

It seems, Dr Mifsud added, that Labour mayors were being “forced to make this propaganda on orders from the MLP, which is doing its utmost to publicise itself even by using public funds. This is done to the detriment of local councils publications, the aim of which is to inform residents on projects and issues the council is working on”.