'Stay true to your word and resign', PN tells minister

The Nationalist Party said that Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia must stay "true to his words" and resign. 

"The PN expects the Minister to stay true to his words and not hide away from his statements," the PN said in a statement last night.

Reportedly, Mallia said he would resign from parliament if "at least one day of residency requirement" were to be introduced as a condition under the Individual Investor Programme. Mallia's statement was made during negotiation meetings held between the government and the opposition behind closed doors. A 12-month residency requirement was now introduced.

While the government has remained silent on the matter, parliamentary secretary for justice Owen Bonnici has chided the opposition for disclosing what was said during the confidential meetings.

But after Labour's deputy leader for party affairs Toni Abela referred to the PN's disclosure during a political activity, the PN issued a statement arguing that at no point did Abrla deny what Mallia said.

Opposition spokesman for home affairs Jason Azzopardi and PN administrative council president Karol Aquilina reiterated that Mallia made such a declaration.

The PN also insisted that it was not true that government had wanted to discuss residency with the Opposition.