PN leader Simon Busuttil was reluctant to say whether he would accept the Prime Minister's challenge - to resign should the Egrant inquiry fail to link Joseh Muscat directly.

Replying to questions by The Malta Independent during a press conference in which the party presented the 110 PN and PD candidates, Dr Busuttil said that the persons who have to resign are those who are surrounded by serious allegations.

He then stretched his arms out and looked at the candidates behind him - "All I can tell you is this; I do not have a secret company in Panama and none of these candidates behind me have a secret company in Panama."

"Ask Joseph Muscat to make the same statement. He would not be able to say no," he said . "This is the reason why Joseph Muscat should have resigned months ago. If he is willing to go down, he can go freely. But don't bring down the whole country down with you."

He said he has full faith in the public to choose Malta instead of Joseph Muscat.

The Prime Minister has pledged, in more than one occassion that he would step down should the Egrant inquiry prove a link with him or his family. However, he also challenged the Leader of the Opposition to step down should the inquiry fail to prove the allegations. 

In a reaction, Labour Party Deputy Leader Chris Cardona said that for him, accountability was very important. He said Simon Busuttil's reply to The Malta Independent means that the PN leader is not ready to shoulder political responsibility.

“If he does not intend to shoulder responsibility, then he is not fit to lead the country,” Dr Cardona said.