Albert Fenech has announced his resignation from Parliament, the Nationalist Party said in a statement.

Prof. Fenech was elected for the first time in 2013.

In his letter to Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil, Prof Fenech said that he had met Dr Busuttil last September after he was forced out of the Department of Cardiology at Mater Dei Hospital by the Labour government.

Since his avenues in private practice in Malta were limited, Prof Fenech said he started to seek employment in the UK.

Prof. Fenech also referred to the position he was offered by Vitals Global Healthcare in their new venture in Malta, the developing of St Luke's Hospital into a private hospital specialising in cardiology, trauma and orthopaedic surgery as well as their investment in the new hospital in Gozo.

In his letter, Prof. Fenech said that with Dr Busuttil he discussed the possibility of a conflict of interest as the party was "not in favour of the Gozo project but we both agreed that as I was not a member of the VGH executive board I would have no say in that regard. My overriding concern, however, was the fact that in order to maintain my manual skills until the new hospital would open I would have to travel abroad on a monthly basis for a period of not less than four days in order to continue operating. This would at best interfere with parliamentary attendances and therefore proceedings."

Prof. Fenech said that VGH secured agreements in Georgia and Slovakia, and his appointment with VGH meant that he is expected to advise and participate in these projects which would entail a considerable amount of travelling.

"I am sure there is agreement on the fact that were it not for the personally motivated machination which, unfortunately, found backing from the highest quarters in government, the circumstances of my professional career could have remained unchanged, and the commitment I had taken when I ran as candidate for the party you lead would have been sustained. Regrettably, I have to adjust to these changed circumstances and I would be loath to see these circumstances also affect further the political contribution I would have wished to make."

Prof Fenech also referred to "events that are eroding the fundamental principles of governance and democracy. (The country) is being run by an 'outfit' (they don't deserve the name of government) that is totally lacking the capability, the honesty, the transparency, the moral backbone or the plain decency that is required to deserve the honour of running our national affairs."

The country deserves much better, Prof. Fenech wrote, saying he was saddened by "the behaviour if some of these people in Parliament. It saddens me further to see those who allow themselves to become accessories to these 'gross misdemenors' by their silence and acquiescence, bar one notable - and indeed admirable - exception. These members of the ruling party have lost the right to retain the title of 'honourable' because their words and actions are anything but. It is disheartening to see those whom I know personally become tarnished with the same brush as others, but unfortunately their silence in these grave circumstances and in the face of crass behaviour of their colleagues is nothing short of condoning."

In view of this, Prof. Fenech said he had no other option for him but to resign to enable someone with more time to take his place. He pledged his continued allegiance to the Nationalist Party - "you and the party will have my continued and unstinting support and assistance."

In his reply, Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil said he fully understood the situation which came about after new professional engagements of Prof. Fenech.

"I very much regret that this turn of events which has developed as a result of Labour government's senseless decision to throw away your outstanding skills and experience. It is nothing short of scandalous that the Health Minister finds no qualms in opening a secret company for himself in Panama, but then finds no inner strength to overcome partisan considerations and retain your services in the best interests of Maltese patients. I find this deeply disturbing."

The resignation "comes at a particular juncture in the local political scene, marred as it is by a government that finds itself embroiled in an unprecedented crisis of corruption of its own making. I can assure you that I will leave no stone unturned to deliver to our nation a radical clean-up of our political system, once and for all."

Dr Busuttil thanked Prof. Fenech for his contributions and wished him well in his new tasks.

Letter Albert Fenech to PN leader

Letter PN leader to Albert Fenech

In a statement, the Labour Party said Prof. Fenech had chosen private investment over remaining part of a negative opporition that had expressed itself against it.

In a counter statement, the PN said that if the PL had read Prof. Fenech's letter, it would have realised that not only will he continue to support the PN but he also attacked government members for their style of leadership.

Prof. Fenech said that government members should no longer be called honourable because of the way they are leading the country.

The least the PL could do is apologise to Prof. Fenech for the way the Labour government treated him, the PN said.