The Nationalist Party has called on Prime Minister Robert Abela to publish the resignation letter submitted by his predecessor Joseph Muscat. The call comes after a requested for the Office of the President to publish the letter has been turned down.

In a statement, the PN said Abela had received a request to table the letter in Parliament, but the PM had refused to do so. There is no doubt that Abela has a copy of the letter and knows what’s in it and, having served as consultant to Muscat, Abela knows the real reasons why Muscat resigned.

By not publishing the letter, Abela continues to defend Muscat, the PN said. The Maltese people have a right to know what it contains.

In a separate statement, independent candidate Arnold Cassola said President Vella's refusal to publish the letter - which practically amounts to an act of censorship - contributes to create suspicion and doubt in Maltese citizens with regard to the working of the government.

If there are serious consequences for the running of government in Muscat's resignation letter, then it becomes even more vital that the contents are revealed to the people of Malta, who have a vested interest in ensuring that our country is run in the best of ways, Cassola said.