I’m out! Keith Schembri resigns from Labour Party

Keith Schembri has resigned from the Labour Party, the former chief of staff at the OPM said.

Schembri was for a time arrested by the police in connection with their investigations into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. In court on Thursday, police inspector Keith Arnaud said that Schembri is still under investigation. On 26 November, he had resigned from the post of OPM chief of staff, a few hours before his first arrest.

In a letter to the president of the PL, which Schembri posted on his Facebook page yesterday, Schembri said he was taking into account the messages that have been placed on the social media, calling for his resignation.

He said he always believed in the Labour movement that was created under the leadership of Joseph Muscat, and he always believed in its principles.

“I would never like my name to be used to cause division in the Labour Party,” he wrote.

You are and remain a Labourite not simply because you are a party member, as thousands of supporters can attest.

In this light, “I would like you to consider by membership in the Labour Party as terminated.”

He said he believed without reservations that the Labour movement can continue to generate and distribute wealth. He said the Labour Party had a bright future and will win more elections.

He pledged his continued loyalty to the PL, and will be there for the party whenever needed, he said.

“The Labour Party is bigger than any individual

Schembri said he believed the truth will emerge for everyone to see, even by those who have already "judged me on unfounded allegations".

Chris Cardona had joined a growing chorus to have former OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri removed from the Labour Party.

The Economy Minister, who is also party deputy leader, wrote on Facebook yesterday morning that he kept away from speaking publicly and preferred to make his opinion known within party structures. But “now all limits have been exceeded” and he felt he no longer can remain silent.

“Keith Schembri must be kicked out of the party immediately, even though this is already too late. The damage has been done but the party must send a clear signal – if not, the party will become an accomplice”. Contrary to what Schembri said, it was not he who led the party to 10 electoral victories. The party won because the people had confidence that the PL had the better vision for the country.

Cardona had asked for protection from Parliament after fears that there had been an attempt to pin the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia on him. The plea came after a Times of Malta report on how the Cabinet had raised concerns that Keith Schembri, the Prime Minister’s former Chief of Staff, had conspired with Yorgen Fenech in an attempt to frame Cardona for Caruana Galizia’s murder.

On Thursday evening, former PL secretary general Jason Micallef also said the PL should kick Schembri out.

The Labour Party, he said on Facebook, is bigger than any individual.

With immediate effect, the PL should kick Schembri out of the party and make a public declaration.

The party is too glorious to remain silent instead of taking a decision that should have been made ages ago.