‘Republic Day honours rewarded anyone who tarnished PN’s name’ – Alex Vella Gera

Fresh from causing a media storm by refusing the National Order of Merit nomination, leading author Alex Vella Gera has vehemently stood by his controversial decision not to take part in the game.

"I feel exactly the same today as I did when I refused the nomination. I cannot accept an honour from the Maltese political class which, apart from some exception, has been causing so much damage to Malta," the critically acclaimed author of Is-Sriep Regghu Saru Velenuzi said.

In an exclusive interview, Vella Gera insisted that despite reiterating that he would not be made a pawn in the "insidiousness of the Maltese political game," his stand was not of political nature.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the Republic day honours are a prime example of how things are twisted for political purposes.

"This is a reflection of how very deeply the political parties are caught up in their own political games," he argued.

Alex Vella Gera also said a number of awards were politically motivated and anyone who had in some way, put Gonzi's government in bad light - including himself and [Editor of Ir-Realtà] Mark Camilleri - was awarded by Joseph Muscat's government.

Together with Mark Camilleri, Vella Gera had struck a nerve with his no-holds barred and sexual references 'Li Tkisser Sewwi'. The story was reported to the police by the University of Malta rector and Vella Gera faced a possible six years' imprisonment. The two were later acquitted.

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