Opposition Leader Alfred Sant yesterday said that he refuses to speak to Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and stated that the only open communication channel is through their respective lawyers.

Dr Sant made this statement during a dialogue meeting in Qormi where a large crowd of Labour supporters booed loudly each time Dr Pullicino Orlando was named.

He told the crowed that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa) recently granted Dr Pullicino Orlando a permit to build a large disco in Mistra.

“He tried to come and debate with me, u mela le! I won’t speak to someone like him. If he wants his lawyer can speak to mine,” said the opposition leader to a cheering crowd.

Dr Sant pointed out that his allegations cannot be classified as mudslinging – a tactic commonly used by the Nationalist Party.

“If we are accused of mudslinging then there certainly must be a lot of mud on this island,” he said sarcastically to a laughing audience.

The Opposition Leader said that when he presented Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi with facts and documents, in turn he sent Dr Pullicino Orlando to the BA recording.

“Joe Saliba was there and he said that Dr Gonzi was behind Dr Pullicino Orlando’s presence,” he said.

Dr Sant ridiculed the Nationalist MP and said that NET TV showed footage of him crying.

“The Prime Minister said that he requested Mepa’s auditor to investigate the claims. However, a serious prime minister has the means to investigate himself and make sure that the little evidence left is not lost,” he said.

He told the crowd that earlier in the afternoon he visited the Police Commissioner to personally inform him about the case.

“I did my duty – this is a case of corruption on a national scale,” said Dr Sant.

The Opposition Leader said that the Labour Party is not a threat to anyone except those who are corrupt.

Referring to Dr Gonzi’s statement that he is expecting an apology over the health reform issue, Dr Sant said that, instead, it is Dr Gonzi who has to apologise to the public over his party’s betrayal in the public health sector.