Former Nationalist MP Ray Bondin – whom Labour Leader Alfred Sant mentioned as one of the people who have left the PN due to antagonism – said yesterday that he left the political scene completely in 1992 and sees himself as a private person that should not be dragged into the political debate.

In a written declaration, Dr Bondin said: “This is a free country and I have always been openly critical, but this does not mean that I am in politics.

“I have always stuck to my principles, mainly with regard to the preservation of our heritage and culture, the equal treatment of people and the rights of citizens at every level.”

Contacted by The Malta Independent Dr Bondin said he was elected to Parliament in 1987 and served until 1992, when he failed to be re-elected.

“It was then that I left the political scene completely and I did so because I was not re-elected,” said Dr Bondin.