Alpha News

Pheidiades Breaks Silence: Apologizes for 'Pellous' Remark and Points to Motives

Published January 27, 2026, 13:24

MEP Pheidiades Panayiotou broke his silence after the uproar caused by his reference to 'pellous,' apologizing for using the word. He admits he should not have used the term, although he claims it was unintentional. His statement is accompanied by a reference to 'motives' regarding the timing of the criticism, linking it to a recent poll. Mr. Panayiotou expresses his regret to the athletes of the S14 category of the Paralympic Games and to anyone else he offended with his statement. At the same time, he implies that the criticism is targeted and linked to political motives. His reference to 'pellous' had provoked strong reactions from the disability movement, which denounced it as offensive, unacceptable and expressive of obscurantism. Mr. Panayiotou appears to be trying to manage the crisis by apologizing but also questioning the motives of his critics.