The Director of the Academy of Malta's Disciplined Forces John Charles Ellul has apologised for saying that PN MPs should be pelted with eggs and tomatoes, after Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri asked the official to remove the social media post.

“I apologise for a post I uploaded here earlier,” Ellul wrote.

 

"I am sorry if I gave the impression that we do not need to be respectful and tolerant towards each other despite not agreeing on everything. Once again, I apologise,” he wrote.

The apology came after a Home Affairs Ministry spokesperson told The Malta Independent that such comments 'will not be tolerated.' 

In the Facebook post, Ellul - who is also the brother of PL MP and Whip Andy Ellul - wrote: "Is it possible that there aren't any eggs and tomatoes left to pelt the PN with as they are leaving Parliament? This is really a case of where are the Labourites."

NGO Repubblika wrote a letter to Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri. In its letter, Repubblika said that it feels that this behaviour is unacceptable, particularly because it is coming from a person who is responsible for training police, soldiers, and members of other disciplined forces in Malta.

"It cannot be that the person who is trusted with training our disciplined forces behaves in such a shocking manner," the NGO wrote.

Repubblika called on Camilleri to "take steps" against Ellul and show that his government does not accept such behaviour and that it considers threats to democracy and liberty as a grave and unacceptable act.

The letter was signed by Repubblika President Robert Aquilina and a copy was sent to Prime Minister Robert Abela.

The Malta Independent asked the Home Affairs Ministry whether any action will be taken against Ellul, and what the minister makes of the comment.

"Mr John Ellul has already been requested to delete his Facebook post and issue an apology. It is very clear that such comments will not be tolerated. Minister Camilleri consistently insists on the importance that everyone is respectful towards others," a spokesperson responded.

Ellul served in the Malta Police Force for 25 years and retired from the force as a Senior Police Inspector. He used to head the Malta Police Forensic Science Laboratories, and has been teaching at the Malta Police Academy since 1988. 

He is also a visiting senior lecturer within the Department of Criminology at the University of Malta, where he lectures about Forensic Medicine.

In a statement, the PN condemned the "abusive comments" made by Ellul.

"While these comments will not stop the opposition from continuing to speak up for the people in Parliament, this was not acceptable."  

The PN said that Ellul's action is not worthy of someone who leads the training and professional development programmes for members of the Disciplined Forces.