A shocking comment made by a Deputy Mayor this week rightly resulted in calls for his resignation.

PL Deputy Mayor Jonathan Dingli posted an appalling, derogatory and sexist remark on social media, aimed at PN MP and candidate for the PN leadership Adrian Delia. "I must say, you should've been born a woman, because you like being beaten too much," Dingli wrote.

It was a remark that resulted in widespread condemnation, and rightly so.

Parliamentary Secretary for Equality, Rebecca Buttigieg, wrote that "comments like these are never acceptable and show the importance of continuing to work to eliminate these wrong attitudes, wherever they come from."

The Commissioner for Gender Based Violence & Domestic Violence, Samantha Pace Gasan, said she condemns disparaging comments "that could promote violence against women, which were made on social media by a person holding a local political office." She said that in its ongoing work, the Commission continues to raise awareness about the abuse of technology and social media as tools to impose ideas that lead to abuse. "The consequences of such behaviour is that misogynistic culture continues to strengthen, which leads to greater inequality and gender-based violence."

Dingli had later posted an apology on social media. He said that his comment was taken out of context of what he wanted to say, and that "I apologise if there was anyone who felt offended."

It is hard to see how anyone would believe it was taken out of context. That is also not the way to start an apology.

Following this, the Labour Party felt no further action was needed. Deputy leader and MEP Alex Agius Saliba told MaltaToday that "as a Party we spoke with him just yesterday. We made it clear that that speech does not reflect the values and principles of the Party. He was asked to issue a public apology for what he said, and we do not feel that further action is necessary."

But this is not enough, and it is quite hard to believe that the Labour Party did not take more action.

The fact that he was asked to issue an apology by the party he represents also sheds doubt on whether the apology would have been made had the PL not asked him to do so. Secondly, an apology for a comment like that is not enough.

The Labour Party portrays itself to be a champion of gender equality, of fighting against discrimination. Politicians are meant to set examples to society, and the statement that had been made by the Deputy Mayor is completely opposed to the sort of example politicians are meant to give. The Labour Party should have called for his resignation.

The Malta Women's Lobby strongly condemning the "deeply offensive and misogynistic comments" made by Dingli. Regarding his apology, it said "That is not an apology. That is mere justification, shifting the blame on others and showing absolutely no regret," the lobby said, calling for the deputy mayor's resignation. "There is no "context in which the language used can be justified,"the Lobby said.

In another post on Facebook, Dingli then wrote another apology.  "To show that yesterday's message had absolutely nothing to do with domestic violence, I once again, without reservation, apologize for the comment I made." He said it was excessive and could have hurt many people, especially women who passed through domestic violence. He said that he was going to send a message that violence against women is unacceptable in any form by sending his honoraria for two months to Dar Merħba bik.

But this does not change the fact that he made such an appalling public statement in the first place, a statement which, in a society which is fighting the plague of domestic violence, should never have been made by a public figure.  

The Malta Women's Lobby is absolutely right to call for his resignation. Dalli needs to step down from the local council. Just because someone apologises after doing something and being called out on it, does not absolve them of responsibility. You simply cannot have a politician holding office who makes such remarks. It sends the wrong message to society.

In order for society to stop sending out or repeating such wrong messages, then those in public positions need to take responsibility for what they say. In this case, Dingli should not remain in public office.