Grech stands up for Farrugia, urges him to return back to the fold

Newly-elected Nationalist MP Claudio Grech has urged his supporters to stop "attacking" former PN MP Jean Pierre Farrugia after the latter posted a series of accusations on Facebook that hint at Grech having been unfairly propped up by the party's administration to be elected to the House.

Farrugia lost his seat in the House, where he used to be elected from the first district, after newcomer Claudio Grech was elected.

Farrugia's postings have however led to supporters of Austin Gatt's right hand man to "attack" Farrugia on the social networking site.

However, Grech has called for these negative comments to stop: "I may not agree with how Farrugia put his arguments but I believe that everyone has the right to express his opinion."

He added that even though certain things may not have been "factually correct", yet the last thing that the PN needed was scuffles between those who had the party at heart.

"At this point the PN must regroup and not seek what may divide it," he said.

Grech said he was convinced that Jean Pierre Farrugia's comments were not made out of spite but because he was "disappointed" with the election results.

"Jean Pierre assured me that what he wrote was not intended personally and I take his word for it," the young MP wrote on Facebook.

Grech urged his followers to focus their energy on the "more important and positive issues" which the PN needed.

Grech went on to thank Jean Pierre Farrugia for the work carried out in the party and in Parliament.

"I urged him to reconsider his position and to remain active within the party at such a vital moment. The party needs him and other genuine people who can help out with the changes needed," he said.

But like Farrugia, Grech says he also was "disadvantaged" and he faced instances where he "had to put up with a lot of aggravation".

"Like Jean Pierre, I can mention a number of instances where both of us were disadvantaged compared to others. However, I understand that this is what candidates face during an electoral campaign," he said.