Nationalist candidate Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando yesterday morning sued Malta Labour Party Leader Alfred Sant after he felt defamed by allegations Dr Sant made at a press conference in Mistra on Saturday.

Prior to depositing the writ in court, Dr Pullicino Orlando said two MLP officials had informed him that Dr Sant was about to make allegations regarding an application for the construction of a discotheque on his land in Mistra. The officials, he said, were disgusted at the way Dr Sant was tackling the issue.

He reiterated his claim that Dr Sant was a coward as he refrained from disclosing the case in his presence. Dr Sant did so only after he was sure that Dr Pullicino Orlando had missed the ferry he had caught and hurriedly called a press conference at Mistra.

Dr Pullicino Orlando challenged the Labour leader to repeat his claims during a televised debate and accused the party of sustaining a mudslinging campaign.

The writ was signed by Dr Joseph Zammit Maempel.