Prime Minister Robert Abela has said that no talks are currently being held about a monument dedicated to assassinated journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, while emphasising that his government continues to show respect for her memory not only on the anniversary of her death but throughout the year.

Abela was replying to a parliamentary question made by PN MP Graziella Attard Previ, who asked whether the relatives of Caruana Galizia have ever been approached to discuss a monument dedicated to her.

Abela confirmed that no discussions are currently taking place on this matter.

“I remind (Attard Previ) that the government I lead has always shown respect towards the memory of Mrs Caruana Galizia and towards her family, not only on the anniversary of her death but throughout the entire year,” Abela said.

The question followed after recent controversy surrounding government employee Nevile Gafa after he was filmed removing and discarding flowers from Caruana Galizia’s symbolic memorial at the Great Siege Monument on the eight anniversary since the journalist’s murder.

The Office of the Prime Minister had distanced itself from the matter, saying that Gafa’s actions were not intended as a gesture against the memory of Caruana Galizia, but rather as an objection to the use of a national monument for purposes he considers unrelated to its historical significance.

Parliamentary Secretary Andy Ellul had also defended Gafa, saying that he was within his rights to clear the makeshift memorial, exercising the same right as the activists who laid the tributes for the late journalist.