The Nationalist Party councillor who was criticised by the Malta Labour Party after having participated in an activity deemed to be racist, issued a statement to clarify his position.

Alexis Callus, Safi deputy mayor, condemned without reservations any form of racism including the racist remarks passed by Norman Lowell at the said activity.

He denied supporting the protest or agreeing with what was said by Mr Lowell, adding that he was present at the activity in his capacity of Safi councillor. He said he attended the public meeting in order to safeguard the locality he represents from anything negative. A Malta Labour Party councillor also attended, Mr Callus said.

Those who take racism as a joke are committing a mistake, Mr Callus stressed. “When one jokes about these matters, one would be promoting them, and this is a mistake.”

Mr Callus concluded his statement by condemning extreme right politics.