ADPD general secretary suspended by MCAST over relationship with student

Updated 12.58pm with ADPD decision to replace Raph Cassar as general secretary. He will also no longer represent ADPD on Attard council.

The general secretary of ADPD has been suspended from his lecturing position at MCAST after entering into a relationship with one of his students.

Ralph Cassar, who is also a local councillor in Attard and a senior lecturer in applied sciences at MCAST, confirmed to Times of Malta that he was suspended a week ago.

He said the relationship with the student, who was 19 or 20 years old, lasted between December and June. Cassar insisted the relationship was consensual but acknowledged he had not informed his superiors at MCAST about it.

An internal investigation is ongoing at MCAST and Cassar faces accusations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct.

I must insist there was no sexual harassment

“I refute the allegations and that I hope the disciplinary hearing is held as soon as possible so that things are cleared up at the earliest,” he said.

“I must insist there was no sexual harassment,” he stressed.

A spokesperson for the education ministry confirmed the suspension, saying: “As soon as MCAST was informed of these allegations, both parties were called in and given the opportunity to be heard. After listening to both sides, the employee was suspended. MCAST is informed that police reports have been filed.”

Cassar said the police had spoken to him but had decided not to pursue the matter further, claiming this was just a dispute between two adults.

Times of Malta asked Cassar to confirm or deny allegations that he promised the student higher grades in exchange for sexual favours.

Cassar appeared surprised by the claim.

“I don’t think I told them that. I am nearly certain I never said that,” he said.

Cassar stressed he had not given the student a higher grade due to the relationship.

Asked whether he would continue in his political and local council roles, Cassar said he did not know as he was still gathering his thoughts.

Cassar has been an active member of ADPD – The Green Party for decades and has contested multiple elections under the party ticket. He was re-elected to the Attard local council last year and is one of two Green councillors in the country.

Cassar suspended from ADPD post, will not represent party on Attard council

In a statement after Times of Malta revealed the case, ADPD said party officials had demanded an explanation from Cassar, who was denying the accusations but had offered to suspend himself from the party.

It later said that after an urgent meeting of its executive on Sunday morning, it had decided that Cassar would be suspended from his post as general secretary until the case was decided. Cassar will also no longer represent the party on Attard council.

Carmel Cacopardo was appointed acting general secretary.