The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has issued a permit for the controversial party to be held tomorrow on Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando’s land in Mistra.

The two fields owned by the Nationalist MP were at the centre of a controversy in the run up to the last general election, when the Labour Party had made public the fact that MEPA had issued an outline development permit for the construction of an open air disco at the site, which forms part of the Natura 2000 network.

The permit has since been withdrawn and there is a pending court case against two MEPA officials on charges of corruption.

Dr Pullicino Orlando had denied knowing the details of the project, because, he said, the land had been leased to a third party.

Many were amazed that Dr Pullicino Orlando sent out a flyer last week, advertising tomorrow’s party on the same controversial stretch of land in Mistra. Alex Perici Calascione, contesting next week’s European parliament election on the PN ticket, will be a special guest at the party.

Nature Trust and Din l-Art Helwa appealed to MEPA and to the prime minister to stop the event, saying that being a Natura 2000 site, Mistra deserves all the protection it can get from the national authorities.

When contacted yesterday, a MEPA spokesperson told this newspaper that the permit for the Mistra party had been issued.

The police normally needs MEPA’s clearance (apart from clearance from other authorities) before issuing permits for parties, and until the time of writing yesterday, they did not say whether or not they had given the party the green light.

Dr Pullicino Orlando told this newspaper the party would go ahead if all necessary permits are issued.

The Nationalist MP pointed out that nobody ever made a fuss about the annual Lovesexy party in Paradise Bay. Is this a case of two weights and two measures, then? he asked.