Many of those who lived through the dark days of the 1980s, at least those who were on the receiving end of the government’s iron fist, will find it a little more than ironic that former heavy-handed Lorry Sant acolyte Ronnie Pellegrini has landed himself a job as at the ministry responsible for civil liberties, social dialogue and consumer affairs.
Mr Pellegrini’s appointment to the ministry was brought to light when the Department of Information recently listed him as the ministry’s new chief of staff, but the listing was quickly removed after the appointment hit the headlines.
Pressed by this newspaper this week, the official reply from the ministry is that Mr Pellegrini “is an official within the ministry’s secretariat where he advises on ministerial matters”.
While the ministry also confirmed that Mr Pellegrini is still serving as a director of the Malta Freeport Corporation, the ministry neglected to state what his exact duties at the ministry entail, his exact designation and whether he had first been appointed as the ministry’s chief of staff – since the Department of Information had listed him in that capacity.
It is understood that Mr Pellegrini had, in fact, been appointed as the ministry’s chief of staff, but the appointment was reversed by the Office of the Prime when the proverbial hit the fan.
Mr Pellegrini has a long and chequered history with the Labour Party, and was associated with a number of violent acts in the 1980s.
He went on to take up a role as a General Workers’ Union (GWU) section manager, before being seconded to the Labour Party in 2008 thanks to his close ties with then secretary general Jason Micallef, who now heads the V-18 Foundation.
Quizzed by this newspaper last week Minister Helena Dalli wasn’t particularly forthcoming about Mr Pellegrini’s role in the ministry, simply saying that “he works in the secretariat.”
Pressed on what Mr Pellegrini’s job title is, Dr Dalli said there is a lot that needs doing in the secretariat, and Mr Pellegrini works as a secretariat officer.