Updated - Adds new tweet by Glenn Bedingfield, reaction from PN

A consultant to the prime minister, Glenn Bedingfield, took a crude swipe at Archbishop Charles Scicluna this morning through a Facebook post.

The former MEP and One TV journalist reacted strongly to a comment by the Archbishop yesterday that the prime minister should not have put on an act during the New Year's Day message.

“The next time he visits people in their kitchen, I hope it will be for real,” Mgr Scicluna said, adding that the prime minister did not need any acting.

In a Facebook post this morning, Mr Bedingfield replied: "At least the prime minister did not go into a children's bedroom".

Following outrage over the comments, Mr Bedingfield tweeted his defence, claiming freedom of speech.

The comments by the archbishop were made on TV programme Reporter on TVM last night.

The Archbishop was referring to the new year's message which Prime Minister Joseph Muscat delivered from a kitchen while Mr Bedingfield was clearly referring to child abuse cases involving priests.

Mgr Scicluna was the chief Church prosecutor in such cases.

PN EXPECTS ACTION FROM JOSEPH MUSCAT

In a statement the Nationalist Party said it expected action from Prime Minister Joseph Muscat after Mr Bedingfierld's rude statement.

"It is already a serious matter that a public officer, paid by taxpayers, speaks in such a manner. That he is also the prime minister's consultant makes it unacceptable and the prime minister needs to shoulder responsibility and take action," the PN said.

"The prime minister must not allow this race to the bottom to gain momentum and he should stop this mediocrity before more damage is done."

The PN said that as explained in its good governance document, those holding a political appointment should behave in a way which is appropriate to their position.