Process to revoke Peter Mandelson's Ġieħ ir-Repubblika underway, OPM says
The former UK minister had close links with the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein
Proceedings have begun to "review and revoke" national honours awarded by the Maltese government to former UK minister Peter Mandelson, following fresh reports about his links to the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Mandelson was appointed as an honourary officer in the National Order of Merit in 2016.
The former European Commissioner was one of several foreign nationals given the honour for distinguishing themselves in strengthening international relations or acquiring the respect and gratitude of the Maltese people.
But Mandelson has resigned or been sacked from a series of roles after new information emerged about the depth of his relationship with Epstein.
A recent release of documents suggested that Epstein made payments to Mandelson and received confidential information from him while he was UK trade secretary.
Calls have been made in the UK for Lord Mandelson to lose his peerage. The UK prime minister's chief of staff resigned on Saturday for having recommended Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the US.
Malta's National Order of Merit, part of Gieħ ir-Repubblika, is bestowed by the country in recognition of exceptional service by citizens and foreigners. It has four grades: Companion of Honour (KUOM), Companion (KOM), Officer (UOM), and Member (MOM).
On Monday, an Office of the Prime Minister spokesperson confirmed that the process to review and revoke the honour granted to Mandelson had been initiated.
The decision comes after political party Momentum called on the authorities to strip Mandelson of the title.
This is not the first time that an individual has been stripped of Maltese honours.
In 2011, amidst the Arab Spring uprising in Libya, the Maltese government stripped former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi and former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of the national honours they were awarded.
In 1975, Gaddafi was made an honorary member of the Xirka Ġieħ ir-Repubblika and an honorary companion of the National Order of the Merit. Ben Ali was granted honorary membership of the National Order of Merit in 2005.
Their honours were withdrawn after a proposal was unanimously approved in parliament to amend the Ġieħ ir-Repubblika act where it related to citiziens of other countries.
Amendments that were passed stated that the president, advised by the prime minister following consultation with the leader of the opposition, may withdraw the honours granted under the Gieh Republika Act.
The honours may be withdrawn once "the conduct of the person has... made him unworthy" of bearing the title.