Jason Micallef, Labour Party secretary general yesterday announced his resignation after months of rumours and fallouts.

He will now take up the post of Chairman of One Productions. In a statement issued yesterday evening, the Labour Party said that its leader, Joseph Muscat, had discussed at length a number of proposals and thoughts on the party’s administrative, political and commercial renewal with Mr Micallef.

“This renewal follows decisions and their implementation with the approval of the new statute which PL approved in its Extraordinary General Conference in November and which came in force as from 1 August,” the statement said.

It was agreed, in the best interest of the party and all its supporters, that Jason Micallef starts assuming the responsibility of the party’s media house as One Productions Chairman. He will resume the post as from Thursday 1 October while the office of the secretary general will go through a “transition period”.

Dr Michael Vella Haber will hold the post of Managing Director of the same One Productions.

Jason Micallef was to assume the post of secretary general until January 2010. He will not be contesting the next election for the same post.

When contacted by The Malta Independent before an official announcement was made, Mr Micallef said that a statement was to be issued and that TMI should wait for the press release. Mr Micallef agreed to be contacted later for comments however our attempts to contact him were futile.

Following Mr Micallef’s resignation, the post of secretary general will have to be contested. Possible contenders may be Marlene Mizzi who had good chances of being elected as a Member of the European Parliament last June but was by-passed by John Attard Montalto who inherited more votes. Nonetheless, the post may be resumed by a newcomer or be subject to internal party changes following the new statute.