Malta has become the "gold standard" of LGBTQI reforms, according to the head of the United Nations' LGBT equality campaign. In a video endorsement, Charles Radcliffe, who also heads the Equality and Non-discrimination team at the UN Human Rights office in New York, said Malta had lit the way in the sector.

"Malta has become a beacon of hope in the struggle for these rights," he said.

The video was unveiled at a press conference by Equality Minister Helena Dalli, as part of a series of similar conferences marking the first 100 days of this administration. Ministerial consultant Silvan Agius said the government had had a strong working relationship with Mr Radcliffe's office during the previous legislature, and that he had also visited Malta for a conference on LGBT rights. Read more via Times of Malta