Gozo Channel Chairperson Joe Cordina has told The Malta Independent that his reaction towards an activist defending migrants was very much abrupt and it took just five minutes to realise that he could have chosen better words to describe his feelings at the moment.

Last Saturday, Gozo Channel Chairman Cordina insulted a young activist, Xandru Cassar, who has been protesting in front of parliament for the past weeks alongside a number of other activists in favour of the disembarkation of over 400 migrants which were being kept on tourist ships for over a month in tourist boats 13 nautical miles off of the Maltese coast.

Following the government’s decision to disembark these migrants on Saturday evening, Cassar took it to Facebook to thank everyone who supported him and his fellow activists in their endeavours.

While there were a few who commented to show their support for these young activists, the post flooded with hateful comments against them which is not something that Cassar is new to.

The only difference this time was that Gozo channel Chairman Cordina joined in on the hate by leaving an insulting comment that simply read “F*** YOU!!”

The comment has been removed from the post since then but not before catching the attention of the media and NGO Repubblika which has made a call for the Hate Crime and Speech Unit to investigate Cordina, saying that he should be asked to tender his resignation.

The Malta Independent contacted the Gozo Ministry to ask if it will be taking any action against Cordina for offending Cassar.

Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri did not specify if it will be taking any action, yet, he said; “I totally disagree with the comment. Whilst everyone has the right to voice his own opinions, opinions of others should be respected.”

This newsroom also asked Cordina himself if he will be apologising for his actions and it seems that the Gozo Channel Chairman has had a change of heart.

“That reaction was very much abrupt and it took just five minutes to realise that I could have chosen better words to describe my feelings at the moment. That’s why I’ve decided to put down the post soon after. I apologise for that,” he told this newsroom.

He added that it is not in his nature to use such tone as he has been working with other people with different opinions and different backgrounds all his life and there will always be mutual respect.