Controversial priest Fr Mark Montebello has added his voice to that of many against the development of a University in Zonqor Point, saying that the mutilation of the environment is fast becoming the government's Achilles Heel.

Writing on his blog, Fr Montebello said that the more time passes the more it becomes evident that the government is getting fewer and fewer marks for its environmental record.

The environment, he wrote, was a focal point in Labour's pre-election programme. It had then been written that "Malta should be in the forefront when it comes to environmental standards. Not because of European obligations, but because this is what our children deserve." These words were an investment in hope and confidence, he added.

Going on to list the PL's promises on the environment, Fr Montebello said that in spite of the fact that Labour is still midway through its term - and therefore there is the benefit of the doubt that matters could still improve - there are preoccupying signs that cannot be ignored.

"It could be that the worst part is this: that the mutilation to the environment under Fenech Adami and Gonzi has not only not subsided, but it has become worse," he wrote.

Land speculators who in the past were simply accommodated in the environmental game, now have the reins in the sector and are dictating the rules. The safeguarding of the environment did not improve; matters have worsened, he added.

If this is so, he said, there is a problem with the electoral mandate given to the government. Labour was elected to improve the situation. "Not to keep it the same. Not to make it worse. The mandate was clear that matters should improve. But the conviction is growing that this is not the case. Matters are getting worse," he insisted.

While in other sectors the government is achieving success, the government is risking that the environment could become its Achilles Heel. This is a calculated risk for the government, but the electorate might think otherwise. The people had hoped that the irreparable damage caused in the past would not have been repeated.

Fr Montebello said the government should not ignore the signs in favour of the protection of the environment. Achilles dies because he was hit in the heel by coincidence. Today, the arrow shot will not be a fluke, he concluded.