Adrian Delia has claimed that excerpts of alleged text messages between him and Yorgen Fenech are "mock-ups" and challenged the newspaper that published them to publish conversations that took place between the 17 Black owner and Joseph Muscat, Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi."

The messages were allegedly sent in the first half of 2019. In one message, sent on 19 March 2019, Fenech texted Delia: "We are always behind you no matter what."

In the same exchange, Fenech asked Delia if he was up for a casual meal. "Good day to you. Thank you, I'll ask Pierre (Portelli) to organise it," Delia replied, according to a screenshot published by the Times. In some instances, Delia did not reply to Fenech.

In a statement, Delia said The Sunday Times of Malta published 'mock ups' of alleged chats between Yorgen Fenech and himself.

"If Sunday Times of Malta has access to Fenech's mobile, then how about publishing thousands of exchanges that there must be between Fenech and the culprits in the numerous cases of corruption and the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia that they are implied in? Why is this the only 'exchange' published? Why no exchanges between Mr Fenech, Joseph Muscat, Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi? The allegations are that Fenech cohorts with ministers, that he is a childhood friend with Keith Schembri, that he controls Joseph 'Ix-Xiħ' Muscat and that there was an intimate relationship between Fenech and a Junior Minister."

He asked why the newspaper did not publish chats related to these "grave and certainly relevant allegations, rather than allow those keen on a diversion to focus on to "nothing of relevance" or untoward from my end."

The Sunday Times, he said, did not say where the information derived from and did not even say it came from a source. "I find this strange. But the crux of the matter, as far as I as Leader of the Nationalist Party am concerned, is this: The allegations made in my regard, a year ago, were precise: Yorgen Fenech offered €50,000 to me as PN leader to derail a PN candidate's re-election. I denied that flatly and took a solemn oath through an affidavit that I did not. Any investigation or inquiry will soon put that beyond any doubt."

Reacting specifically to the "mock-up" chat in which Fenech allegedly pledged his support, Delia said that, "as leader of the second largest political party in Malta, I get thousands of messages a week from all types of people pledging their support, asking for meetings and giving ideas. That does not make me an acquaintance or friend of theirs."

Delia said that, when the 17 Black story broke, the PN "went on overdrive talking about it every single day and asking for political responsibility of those who really and truly had a special relationship with Fenech."

"As I write this, a former Labour Minister and a former chief of Staff are enjoying the summer holidays despite being caught red handed having set up a venture to generate €5,000 daily each from the proceeds of corrupt deals. And a former Prime Minister under whom all this heinous crime and corruption happened continues to escape justice."

Delia said he will summon a Parliamentary Group this week "to ensure the PN perseveres in its pursuit of truth and justice."