Prime Minister Joseph Muscat did not disclose what appointments were offered to Labour deputy leader for party affairs, which appointments were all refused by Dr Toni Abela.

On a TV programme, Dr Abela had said that he had “personally, as deputy leader of the party, refused all appointments because I do not see I could be so schizophrenic and be a top party official and at the same time occupy a top government position.”

Questioned in Parliament by Nationalist MP Claudette Buttigieg, Dr Muscat said it is not prudent to speak about appointments that were turned down. “Dr Abela kept to the rule mentioned in the PQ,” Dr Muscat said.