Prime Minister Robert Abela has strongly defended his decision to re-appoint Chris Fearne and Rosianne Cutajar back into his latest Cabinet.

Both politicians had resigned in the last legislature for different reasons, though were both named ministers on Thursday.

When asked why he felt comfortable to let both Fearne and Cutajar return to Cabinet, despite their controversies, Abela replied that "I have nothing but praise for them."

"I felt extremely comfortable appointing them, as I did with all other ministers and parliamentary secretaries," the Prime Minister said.

Chris Fearne had resigned in May 2024 after he was accused of fraud and misappropriation after the conclusion of the magisterial inquiry into the Vitals deal, which saw the government transfer three hospitals to the private sector in a deal that was later rescinded by the courts for being "fraudulent."

Fearne, who was EU Funds Minister at the time, had also requested for his nomination to be an EU Commissioner, on behalf of Malta, to be withdrawn. Abela had asked Fearne to reconsider his decision shortly afterwards, though Fearne went ahead with his resignation anyway. Fearne's court proceedings are ongoing.

Rosianne Cutajar resigned from the Labour Party parliamentary group, though stayed on as an independent MP, in April 2023 after the publication of private chats between her and Yorgen Fenech illustrated that the two shared a close relationship.

The National Audit Office (NAO) had also heavily condemned an ITS consultancy contract awarded to Cutajar, which it had deemed as irregular, illegitimate and fraudulent.

Cutajar was re-instated into the PL parliamentary group in August 2024, just 16 months after becoming an independent MP, despite the fact that Prime Minister Abela never received the apology he had said was needed for her to be welcomed back.

On Thursday morning, Fearne was sworn in as Minister for Foreign and European Affairs while Cutajar was sworn in as Minister for Equality and Civil Rights to mark the first time that she's become a fully-fledged minister in Maltese politics.

When asked by this newsroom to explain why he felt comfortable to welcome both Fearne and Cutajar back into his latest Cabinet, Abela displayed full faith in both of them.

Abela said that Fearne has been assigned the "important portfolio" of EU affairs, noting that Malta will hold Presidency over the European Council near the end of this legislature, in 2030.

He said that he trusts Fearne to lead Malta through this European Council Presidency in four years' time, even though the world is passing through "pressing times."

Abela added that Fearne has also been assigned the entire portfolio on foreign affairs, which he remarked is very important at the moment given "such sensitive times."

"This shows the absolute faith I have in his skills, competence, and in his innocence in the proceedings against him," Abela said.

While speaking to journalists, the Prime Minister said that he has the same level of faith in Chris Fearne that he has in his Deputy Prime Minister, Ian Borg, who just served as Malta's Minister for Foreign Affairs as the country held a non-permanent seat within the UN Security Council and organised an OSCE conference with Russia's and Ukraine's participation, recognised the State of Palestine, amongst other feats.

The Prime Minister backed Fearne's handling of the criminal accusations against him, going as far to say that "he always decided in the best interest of the people" and that he presumes his innocence. Abela said that his judgement to appoint Fearne as a Minister now also factored this in.

On Cutajar, he said that he "never had a doubt" on whether he should appoint her or not.

After backing Fearne to journalists, the Prime Minister said that "the same goes for Rosianne Cutajar, I absolutely cannot understand why I should have any doubts to appoint her."

He said that Cutajar was given a portfolio of great importance for as long as he leads this government: equality.

Abela said that for as long as he is in charge, equality will be a matter "of the highest importance."

He said that this is because of his, and the Labour Party's, belief in social justice and that people who are "suffering" must be elevated.