Multiple sources within the Nationalist Party have confirmed that the reason why outgoing PN leader Simon Busuttil did not join government on stage during the gay marriage celebrations on Wednesday was to avoid irking the more conservative party members and supporters.

Parliament voted gay marriage into law, through the Marriage Equality Bill, last Wednesday. The legislation is not as such create a whole new law but amends many clauses across Maltese legal codes to replace gender specific terminology such as 'husband' and 'wife' into 'spouse', thereby legally encompassing any consenting adult couple who has entered into a marriage.

The final vote was followed by celebrations at Castille square. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, his wife Michelle Muscat, Equality Minister Helena Dalli and PN deputy leader Mario de Marco all got on stage while short speeches were delivered by leaders in the gay community and lobby groups.

Many were left questioning why Busuttil, who was a strong advocate of gay marriage and equality, was not also on stage. Deputy Speaker Claudette Buttigieg and fellow PN MPs David Agius, Karl Gouder, Alex Mangion and Ivan Bartolo were all in attendance of the celebrations.

The sources also explained that Busuttil was scheduled to speak on Net TV soon after the vote.

Prime Minister Muscat made it clear soon after being re-elected that Parliament would be passing the gay marriage bill before it stopped for the summer recess. Busuttil had declared that the PN would be voting in favour, despite the concerns it had at the government's proposal to remove gender specific terminology such as 'mother' and 'father'.

Ultimately, Parliament passed the Bill with 66 in favour and one against. Since neither party leader allowed MPs a free vote, on the basis that gay marriage was in both electoral manifestos and candidates were aware of this, the party Whips voted on behalf of all MPs.

Conservative PN MP Edwin Vassallo was the only one who voted against, saying his conscience could not allow him to approve of an "immoral law." He had already voted against the bill at second reading stage. Vassallo yesterday told this newspaper that he decided to vote against "at the very last minute."

While some disagreed with the move, others commented that he acted respectfully and did not deceive his constituents. Prime Minister Muscat, following Vassallo's initial vote against the Bill had urged PN Leader Busuttil to allow his MPs a free vote, so that they may vote with their 'conscience'.

Of note is that on the day Parliament was set to cast the final vote, three PN MPs were missing. Mario Galea had called in sick while Carm Mifsud Bonnici and Claudio Grech, who is reportedly considering contesting the PN leadership, were present for question time but had left the chamber by the time the vote was taken.

Technically speaking they did not have to be in the chamber since the Whip was voting on their behalf, but their absence raised questions. None had publicly spoken against gay marriage.

Malta is now the 15th European country to legalise gay marriage, with the 14th spot taken just weeks ago as Germany voted to legalise after Chancellor Angela Merkel made a U-turn on the issue.