Daniel Micallef is resigning from his position as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

Posting on Facebook, Micallef said that he had taken this decision two years ago. He said that he told his friends that he will continue working during the period of transition that is needed within the PL so that then the necessary renewal can take place, "including in the post that I occupy today."

"In my case, this is a decision that was taken two years ago, where I had spoken with the Prime Minister and Party Leader Robert Abela about this - that I would continue to fulfill my role until the elections that took place last Saturday."

The European Parliament election saw the vote gap between the Labour and Nationalist Parties reduce to just over 8,400 votes. Both parties had three MEPs elected each. The counting of votes for the local council elections will take place over the coming days.

Micallef said in his post that during an activity last Wednesday in Paola, "I gave indications about the renewal that is needed, where I stated that 'today I am here, tomorrow there will be someone else' - and I said this before Saturday's elections."

He said that he was also clear in comments he gave to ONE TV from the counting hall.

"Yesterday also I spoke about this during the party executive meeting."

He said that he is not referring to the fact that it was a decision taken two years ago to reduce any element of responsibility over Saturday's result. "As the Prime Minister said just yesterday, I believe that the people sent a number of messages with their vote on Saturday, messages that need to be understood and the necessary decisions taken."

"I am committed to continuing to help the Party as much as I can and wherever I can - as far as my life circumstances permit. Although for many years I have held official roles at various levels within the Party, I do not need to have a position to continue to contribute to the Party and help Leader Robert Abela."

He said that he encourages many others to do this "and join the hundreds of volunteers who already work for the Party centrally and in the localities, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart for all their work."

"I will have the opportunity to communicate better about all of this in the coming days. I am choosing to write this myself here so that my version is direct, and not drawn in bits and pieces from what I am saying."

I take this opportunity to thank all those I have worked with over the years, those who have given me their trust, while apologizing to those I may have let down."