The GWU today dissociated itself from editorial comments in its own newspaper l-orizzont and said its members are free to vote as they wish in Saturday's referendum on spring hunting.

l-orizzont this morning came out in favour of a yes vote, backing the hunters. The newspaper's position came three days after the departure of its editor-in-chief Sandro Mangion, who had taken a personal stand against spring hunting, declaring he would vote no.

An editorial on Saturday also backed the hunters' stand.

In a statement this morning the GWU said it had from the outset stayed away from the hunting controversy. It said that while it understood that the newspaper felt the need to declare itself, this view was not that of the union.

The union regretted that l-orizzont may have given the impression that it is supporting one side in the referendum.