PL Leadership candidate Robert Abela has finally agreed to be interviewed by The Malta Independent, after having refused to do so thus far in his campaign.

Abela was holding a campaign event in Mellieha, for which the media was not invited. This newsroom went on site to ask him why he has been refusing interview requests by this media house, including for the programme Indepth.

Robert Abela had said on Xarabank: "I am very careful about my engagement with the independent media. That is why I am keeping a certain distance. I am keeping my distance intentionally to be free to take all decisions that are needed." This raised concerns that he was picking and choosing which media to give interviews too.

Told that he was asked before to conduct an interview multiple times before, but refused or failed to respond, Abela said that he began his campaign late, and had commitments that he wanted to meet with many people. He said that he started campaigning the past days. He said he has trust in the media as long as the media is independent and neutral.

Asked whether he can then give this media house an interview tomorrow or the day after he said he has no problem granting interviews. "I think you can wait a few days and we would be able to give you every interview there is needed as long as you are neutral".

"I believe that politicians should be scrutinised by the media and this is why I gave no sponsorships to the media in my campaign, and I do not intend to give any sponsorships so that I can be scrutinised in the most liberal way by the media."

One has to note however that just in today's l-Orizzont newspaper, a Robert Abela campaign advert can be seen, and such adverts had appeared in pro-Labour newspapers over the past weeks.

Asked when he would be willing to give The Malta Independent an interview then, he said he has no problem granting an interview. "We will agree on a day and then we will conduct it."

A message has been sent to Robert Abela suggesting dates on which the interview could be conducted.