The St Julian's Local Council has said it was informed of Prime Minister Robert Abela's visit to the locality only around an hour before it took place, insisting that it was not formally invited to participate in the engagement with the Prime Minister, Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield and Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà.

In a statement issued on Friday, the council said it was reacting to Facebook posts published by councillor David Caruana, which, it said, gave the impression that he had been the only representative of the council present during the visit.

The council said that, contrary to this impression, it had not been formally invited to attend.

The counsil was referring to a visit Prime Minister Robert Abela, accompanied by Home Affairs Minister Glenn Bedingfield and Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà, made the specialised police squad in Paceville. 

The council said it was informed of the visit through a telephone call from the Office of the Prime Minister, during which only the mayor was invited approximately one hour before the visit took place while the council's monthly meeting was in progress.

It said the short notice did not allow the council to make the necessary arrangements to participate in an official capacity.

The council added that any councillor or other person who attended the visit did so in a personal capacity and not as an official representative of the local council, since only the mayor had received an invitation shortly beforehand.

Despite its criticism of how the visit was organised, the council said it welcomed attention being given to issues affecting St Julian's and the well-being of its residents.

It added that it remained open to meeting and discussing any matter concerning the locality and reaffirmed its commitment to constructive cooperation with the national authorities.

The council also said it expected to be formally consulted and involved in future initiatives concerning St Julian's so that residents' interests could be properly represented.

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