Klabb Ħawaj Contract Not Renewed As It Was Meant To Be Catering Establishment, PN Insists After Queer Controversy
The Nationalist Party has insisted that Klabb Ħawaj’s contract was not renewed as it was not operating as a catering establishment as outlined in a contract.
This comes following the controversy that arose after Klabb Ħawaj founder Shawn James claimed that the contract was not renewed by the PN after it felt “embarrassed” by a queer event held at the community centre last December.
“The San Ġwann club of Partit Nazzjonalista was leased out to James with a contractual obligation to run the premises as a catering establishment, which unfortunately was not done. James’ contract expired and an agreement was reached with a different tenant,” it told Lovin Malta in a statement.
“Partit Nazzjonalista is a Party that has full respect for all and values equality, diversity, and inclusion.”
Earlier, James claimed that the PN was “embarrassed” by a queer event ‘Faux Show’, which took place last December and which was promoted as an event where you could “leave your troubles and your gender at the door”.
“It’s a damn shame that the PN decided that from all the events that were organised, from Refugee Week Malta to Nice Things Market to Chewing Productions theatre, to MGRM Malta’s social activities, to the many DJ events, concerts, fashion shows, they deemed that Faux Show Malta was an event that caused embarrassment to the party, and it was not the direction that the party is taking or going for,” he said.
Meanwhile, Labour MEP Cyrus Engerer has already condemned the claims, urging James to keep an eye out for the Labour Party’s properties in the future as they would not have a problem with arts and culture – irrespective of the theme.
Klabb Ħawaj had established itself as a cultural community centre in San Ġwann, which also doubled as a co-working space, hosting numerous events throughout the year.
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