Labour backbencher Marlene Farrugia today dropped a heavy hint that her partner – former Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia - was offered the environment portfolio currently held by Leo Brincat during last year’s Cabinet reshuffle.

Dr Farrugia left the Cabinet after he was offered the post of Social Affairs Minister to replace Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, who had then been named President. Dr Farrugia had rejected the offer and subsequently resigned from the post of Health Minister to be replaced by Michael Farrugia.

It has now transpired that Dr Godfrey Farrugia was offered a second option, that for environment minister, which he also turned down.

Speaking on Ghandi xi Nghid, Dr Farrugia stopped short of actually confirming that Dr Farrugia was offered the environment portfolio, saying it is for the Prime Minister to say whether such an offer was made.

Asked whether she has faith in Environment Minister Leo Brincat, Dr Farrugia said she has faith in him “as a person,” though it is possible that as a minister he does not have control over all the necessary tools, such as development and planning. 

Dr Farrugia was scathing of the government’s new ministerial code of ethics, which requires ministers to have all interactions with the media approved by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

She warned that ministers may end up being puppets on a string, with their free speech being muzzled by “non-elected” officials.

Perhaps once again drawing on Godfrey Farrugia’s short-lived experience as a minister, Dr Farrugia said the way the OPM favours a statement issued by one minister over another’s and the way in which it is transmitted means that it gets to decide which ministers look good and which of them look incompetent.

Dr Farrugia said that in a democratic country, these non-elected OPM officials should not be able stymie the free speech of elected officials.

On the national broadcaster PBS’ failure to report the announcement of a public protest by Front ODZ against the Zonqor Point development, Dr Farrugia the ODZ issue is above politics, and people want the national broadcaster to reflect their concerns.

Asked about her offer to the Prime Minister to serve as the Environment Minister, Dr Farrugia said that if planning and development is merged with the environment portfolio, she believes she has a valid contribution to make.

She said the Prime Minister is doing his best to retain control of the government and implement his vision, but not all elements forming part of the government are working in coordination, and certain elements have interests that are in conflict with the overall national interest.

On Zonqor Point, Dr Farrugia said she has heard from certain constituents that there may be some “vested interests” for the development to take place there.

“I hope this government did not sell the public’s trust to accommodate the interests of a few people,” she said.