The Malta Gay Rights Movement this morning said it welcomed the declarations made by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil in favour of gay marriage.

In a terse statement, steering away from the controversy that erupted after Joseph Muscat made his position on the subject known in what was described as an attempt to deviate public attention away from Panamagate, the MGRM said that given that there seems to be consensus on the issue MGRM urges for a bill to be put forward opening up marriage to all couples irrespective of gender without delay.

Dr Muscat has been accused by the PN of using the gay community to divert attention from the scandal engulfing his government, but the MGRM made no comment about this.