Nigel Farage’s Former Maltese Aide Embroiled In Fresh Russia Controversy
A Maltese man who used to work in the European parliamentary group led by former UKIP leader Nigel Farage has been accused of spreading Russian propaganda and orchestrating a smear campaign against a critic of the Kremlin.
Kevin Ellul Bonici was sacked by the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy in 2015 after he was caught on CCTV posting controversial books about Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaité into the pigeonholes of all MEPs. Grybauskaité’s supporters claimed the smear campaign was orchestrated by Russia as a response to the Lithuanian President’s outspoken views against the Kremlin during the Ukraine crisis.
Now two former parliamentary staffers of the eurosceptic group have told the Guardian that another aide to Farage called Michael McManus had told them that Ellul Bonici used to frequently visit the Russian embassy in Brussels.
“I was told in June 2015 that this gentleman had a relationship with the Russian embassy in Brussels and that every time he came back from the Russian embassy he would return with a bootload of propaganda,” one former staffer said.
Sharon Ellul Bonici celebrating Labour’s election win this year inside Castille
Kevin Ellul Bonici refused to comment, but his wife – failed Labour MEP candidate Sharon Ellul Bonici – told the Guardian that her husband is “a very private person who doesn’t speak to the press.”
Sharon Ellul Bonici is listed as the secretary general of the European Alliance for Freedom parliamentary group, a group whose vice-president is France’s Front National leader Marine Le Pen. Although her political views jar with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s stated Europeanism, she has maintained close relationships with the Labour Party. During this year’s election campaign, she was granted a position on the stage at Labour’s last mass meeting in Hal Far and was inside Castille as PL supporters gathered to celebrate Muscat’s second election victory.
Her brothers are Andy Ellul, a lawyer who contested the election with the PL last June, and John Ellul, a forensic expert who also works with parliamentary secretary for reforms Julia Farrugia.
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