The President of the PN General Council, Kristy Debono, has admitted that meeting with businessman Yorgen Fenech, the alleged owner of 17 Black, was an “error of judgment.”

It emerged on Sunday that Debono and fellow PN MP Herman Schiavone had met with Fenech to discuss the possible sponsorship, by the Tumas business group, of a conference room.

PN Leader Adrian Delia said earlier on Monday that he was unaware of the meeting.

In a statement, Deboni said: “Following reactions in the media, social media and various people I have spoken to, I now realise that meeting the CEO of Tumas group was an error of judgement on my behalf and I unreservedly apologise for the unnecessary controversy.”

“I had this meeting with the sole intention to organise a political conference and on a non-profit making basis. To this end, I shortlisted a number of possible conference venues, in the St Julian's and Swieqi vicinities to discuss possible sponsorship of a small conference room. A sponsorship for a conference room which did not actually materialize,” Debono said.

“The meeting was held in broad daylight, non-secretive and all above board. It was only to this end, and nothing else, that I conducted the said meeting. I wish to assure one and all that my stand against corruption remains as strong as ever,” Debono said.