Civil Rights Minister Helena Dalli said that the legalisation of abortion is a “categorical no at this point in time."

Speaking at a press conference on civil unions, Dr Dalli said that she cannot speak for the Prime Minister but she knows that Dr Joseph Muscat is of the same opinion on the matter, and is against abortion

On civil unions, she said that while the PN is regressing, Labour is a forward-looking party. The PN chose to abstain on the bill but for Labour it should be up to the experts to decide on gay adoptions, irrespective of the gender of the two people forming a couple.

Dr Dalli said that she is happy with the progress made when it comes to civil liberties, and said that she hopes the Opposition will cooperate more in this field.

She also blasted the Opposition’s “archaic mentality” in not recognising the division between church and state.