While government MPs and Labour Party officials tried to find the best words with which to describe their relationship with Joseph Muscat, who will resign in January, Education Minister Evarist Bartolo singles himself out with no words of praise for his outgoing leader.

Bartolo has been quite vocal in his dissent to what was happening to the country, the Labour Party and the government over the past days.

This morning, while tributes to Muscat abounded from the Labour fold – and other message of “good riddance” type came from the other end – Bartolo chose to write two short, rather cryptic messages on Facebook.

“Some praise you, some call you Judas. Do you have a conscience? It takes you on a road. Take it”, was one message. It is unclear whether the minister is referring to Muscat or whether he is referring to criticism he has received for his outspokenness.

In another message, Bartolo asks what needs to be done to really learn that people with money are needed for investment and economic development, but not to have them have more influence in the country and institutions than necessary.