PD ban on non-EU citizens to be revoked

JUSTICE MINISTER Michael McDowell yesterday moved to change a Progressive Democrats rule banning non-EU citizens from party membership despite the fact that all immigrants are entitled to vote in local elections.

The ban, highlighted in a report by the Africa Solidarity Centre, is a major embarrassment for the party, which is the only political party in the State to adopt such a position.

Reacting to the revelation, a wide range of human rights and refugee groups criticised the PDs for double standards and hypocrisy.