“See for yourself from these photos, how can the Planning Authority ever approve the destruction of a valley to accommodate a sworn developer, among others, who are destroying Gozo,” he emphasised, referring to Portelli. 

“Not in my name,” he said. “I have been in politics for many years, occupying different roles within the Labour Party. I’ve always loved the Labour Party, and I will continue to love it to the last breath.”

“However, these stories bother me too much, and I believe they do the same to every well-meaning Labour supporter,” he expressed. 

“The Labour Party does not get elected to Government to approve such obscenities,” he stressed. 

Emanuel Cuschieri also strongly criticised the PA’s decision and is calling for an independent inquiry into the decision.

This comes after the Planning Authority approved yet another controversial permit for a swimming pool in ODZ land in Xagħra, Gozo.

The approval came after a number of strong interventions, including Xagħra Mayor Christian Zammit, Moviment Graffitti activist Rachel Baldacchino, and Astrid Vella from Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar.

Approving such a development only continues to feed the precedent which is being created for ODZ land, with the PA continuing to keep the doors to such development wide open despite going against policies.

What do you make of Micallef’s comments?