A high ranking PN official is circulating a declaration among PN MPs regarding Opposition Leader Adrian Delia’s current situation, and the need for him to step aside, a source high up within the PN informed this newsroom.

This was corroborated by a number of MPs who, under condition of anonymity, said as much to The Malta Independent.

The declaration, this newsroom was told, recognises that Delia’s situation is a problem that he needs to deal with.  It recognises that he needs time to deal with it, recognises that the situation is affecting the work of the party, and asks him to step aside due to this.

This newsroom was told by the aforementioned sources that the declaration is more for the MPs to show that they recognise the situation is wrong, and no decision has been made in terms of what to do with it.  Signatures are being collected.

Back in October 2017, a vote of no confidence regarding Delia had been considered by MPs, and this situation could, potentially, lead to that.

The Opposition Leader is facing allegations of domestic violence, leading to arguments that his position as leader is no longer tenable. It was recently reported that the PN’s executive committee will discuss the allegations being made against Delia.

The Malta Independent previously reported that a senior PN source said that a number of Nationalist MPs had already approached the embattled leader and told him that his position is no longer tenable, and that Delia replied that he has no intention of budging. While it has been reported that some MPs have been working to oust Delia before May’s European Parliament election, another group is urging him to take a decision after the election. “If Delia were to leave now, a few months before the election, the party would descend further into chaos,” one source said.

This newsroom previously asked Adrian Delia about the allegations which surfaced over the past weeks and months, and whether he feels that staying on as leader will damage the party’s chances in future elections? He was asked whether he will step down until the matter is resolved in court.

“Unfortunately we are living in times where some are more interested in character assassination and fake news than searching for the truth and doing the right thing. I have no intention of resigning and abandoning this fight. It will not be the right thing to do,” Delia said.

Sources also previously told this newsroom that Nationalist Party officials high up within the party are trying to create a show of strength today, during an annual party for PN paid-up members after Christmas. This newsroom was told that messages are doing the rounds to this effect, trying to drum up support and create a show of strength on today.