Nationalist Party deputy leader Robert Arrigo is receiving treatment in Mater Dei Hospital’s Intensive Therapy Unit after he developed an infection on Saturday.

Arrigo’s family confirmed on Facebook that the PN deputy leader was admitted to hospital on Friday after experiencing pains which were suggestive of kidney stones.

“However, on Saturday, before any intervention could be made, Robert developed an infection that infected his blood stream and was transferred to the Intensive Therapy Unit of Mater Dei Hospital under the excellent care of the medical team at ITU, for which the family wholeheartedly thank,” his family said.

They thanked everyone for their thoughts and prayers and asked that the family’s privacy be respected.

PN leader Bernard Grech was among the first to wish Arrigo a speedy recovery on Tuesday night, with Prime Minister Robert Abela following suit on Wednesday morning.

Speaker Anglu Farrugia also offered his well wishes through a media statement on Wednesday.

Arrigo is a veteran politician and a well-known and well-loved member of the Sliema community, he served on the town’s local council for over a decade before being elected to parliament in 2003 – a seat he’s held ever since.

The entrepreneur, whose company operated in the tourist industry, was also one of the most successful presidents of Sliema Wanderers FC.