PN MEP Roberta Metsola today suffered vile abuse on her Facebook page after updating her followers on a meeting held with UNICEF on their ‘No child left behind’ programme.

In response to the update, a certain Kevin Vella commented : “Look what this piece of rubbish wrote, I hope she is gang-raped by illegal immigrants in order for her to enjoy what she wishes on Malta.”

In reply, Dr Metsola said such abuse is unacceptable.

“A few minutes ago a certain Kevin Vella published on Facebook his wish that I get gang-raped by a group of what he calls illegal immigrants. He did this while sharing my post outlining the outcome of my meeting with UNICEF and our agreement to work so that no child gets left behind,” Dr Metsola wrote.

“In politics you quickly grow a thick skin and these incidents only serve to make my stands stronger, but it is a sad day when issues like rape and sexual violence are incited by a fellow Maltese because politicians take a stand in favour of children.”

Dr Metsola encouraged all those viewing her response to the abuse to make a donation to women’s shelters or to UNICEF.

Minister Chris Cardona expressed his support for Dr Metsola.