“I don’t believe Franco Debono has a place in the Nationalist Party,” PN leadership contender Adrian Delia said. Interviewed by The Malta Independent news editor Rachel Attard on INDEPTH, Delia was categorical in his reply that Debono will not set foot at the PN headquarters if he (Delia) becomes leader.

Last Saturday Delia, a lawyer and an outsider to the political sphere, confirmed that he will be contesting the PN leadership race in September. He was the first contender to have confirmed his interest in the position being vacated by Simon Busuttil in the wake of the party’s defeat at the 3 June polls.

Delia also said that "we hav e a duty to speak with those people who have been hurt by the party in the past and bring them back. However, I will be the first one to keep those persons who hurt the party out for good so that I will make sure that no damage is done".

Adrian Delia was asked to confirm whether he intends inviting back former PN MP Franco Debono, who turned rogue on the Gonzi administration and ultimately brought it down in 2007. A Facebook post by Delia’s wife stated that Debono should be allowed back in the PN. She made the comment prior to her husband’s declaration that he intends running for PN leader.

Debono, who has occupied the post of Commissioner of Law under the Muscat administration, has been posting on Facebook several messages from PN supporters who want him to contest the PN leadership race. He however remained mum on the matter.

The full programme Indepth will be available on www.independent.com.mt tomorrow.