Government whip Godfrey Farrugia did not attend the protest against the building of a university at Zonqor this morning, despite having said he would go.

In comments to this newsroom, Dr Farrugia said that the protest was specifically about the project in Zonqor, proposed by the government.

“My role as whip carries with it the diverse opinions of the Labour Parliamentary Group and I need to ethically respect that. At present, the government is welcoming all opinions and alternative suggestions for the development, both from members of the civil society and internally. The Parliamentary group took a common and positive position on the protection of outside development zones, and I will adhere to that position,” he said.

“This decision is mine alone, and no one imposed it one me,” he added.

Dr Farrugia had said he will attend the protest on PBS last Tuesday.