Former Labour Party MP Karmenu Buttigieg, known as il-Fratell, has passed away, Labour MEP Josianne Cutajar announced on Facebook.

Buttigieg, a Gozitan, had been elected on the Labour ticket in the 1976 and 1981 election, serving for two legislatures.

Buttigieg was educated at the Xaghra Primary School and the Junior Lyceum in Victoria.

He was a member of the Armed Forces of Malta between 1973 and 1976, and following the 1987 election, he was a manager in a catering establishment.

He was married to Kathleen and they had three sons.

The Labour Party expressed its condolences.