Abela sidesteps questions on Roderick Galdes' future government role

Robert Abela would not be drawn into saying whether former Affordable Housing Minister Roderick Galdes would have any role within a future Labour government.

Earlier on Saturday, Galdes said he was dropped his objections to the Labour Party's decision to bar him from contesting, saying he will no longer seek an electoral run. 

Times of Malta asked the prime minister whether Galdes would have a future government role following his decision not to further challenge his party’s decision. 

However, Abela only spoke of Galdes' role within the Labour Party. 

“I look forward for Roderick to give his valued contribution in this campaign. He has promised me that he will work hard so that the people lend their trust to the party,” he said from the podium of a Labour Party press conference.

As he left the premises, Times of Malta again asked if Galdes had any role to play in the government, but Abela did not respond to those questions. 

Sources said that Galdes had been adamant in his desire to contest the general election despite the national executive voting against his candidacy. 

On Tuesday Galdes  filed a complaint with Labour’s administration, claiming party rules were broken in the vote that blocked him from standing as a candidate.

Sources said the prime minister and his close advisors had been trying to convince Galdes to drop his protest, with Abela and the ex minister meeting to discuss the matter on Wednesday. 

Galdes, resigned as housing minister in January following multiple reports about his private property portfolio. He has remained a Labour Party MP since then.