The second phase of restoration on the Great Siege monument in Valletta is expected to be completed by the second week of December, Justice and Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said.

He was replying to a Parliamentary Question by government whip Byron Camilleri.

Bonnici said that that the second phase of work involves the square surrounding the statue. The work will include maintenance of the metal fencing surrounding the memorial.

The monument is at the centre of an ongoing saga between the government and activists who have chosen the monument as a makeshift shrine to murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The site has been cordoned off since 8 September. Flowers, photos and candles laid at the foot of the monument by activists and members of the public were cleared away by government workers on numerous occasions.

A constitutional case has been filed by activist Manuel Delia against Minister Owen Bonnici and the Director-General responsible for the Cleansing Department for clearing out the memorial.