A political row over transparency and campaign financing intensified on Tuesday as the Labour Party accused Nationalist Party Leader Alex Borg of failing to deliver on his promise to publish the finances related to his PN leadership campaign, while the PN hit back, accusing Prime Minister Robert Abela of hypocrisy.

In a statement, the Labour Party said that Borg had pledged to publish his leadership campaign accounts within a month of his election, but more than a month later, the figures have yet to be released.

"This is nothing but confirmation that even on something so simple, the Nationalist Leader has failed another test," the party said. "With every passing minute, Alex Borg is breaking his word to the people."

Labour insisted that the accounts should be published "today rather than tomorrow", arguing that Borg's delay reflects a "lack of transparency and accountability" and shows that "he and the party he leads cannot be relied upon."

In a reaction, the Nationalist Party said that Robert Abela was in no position to lecture others about transparency, claiming that six years after his election as Labour Leader, the Prime Minister has still not published the expenses of his own leadership campaign.

"The Labour Party has no lessons to give on transparency and accountability," the PN said. "What Robert Abela demands of others, he has never applied to himself."

The PN said Borg remained committed to publishing his campaign expenses by the end of this month, as previously pledged, arguing that the difference between the two leaders is clear.

"While Alex Borg promises transparency and delivers it, Robert Abela demands it without practising it," the statement read.

The exchange adds another layer of tension to the ongoing debate over political transparency, with both major parties accusing each other of failing to live up to their own standards of openness.