Pullicino Orlando tells developer to withdraw Mistra application

Nationalist Party candidate Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, who Labour Leader Alfred Sant has accused of corruption in relation to an outline development permit issued to a third party on land he owns in Mistra, said yesterday he has instructed the developer to withdraw any application for development on his property.

Welcomed with a thunderous applause of support during a PN activity in Mosta, Dr Pullicino Orlando, visibly emotional and with tears rolling down his eyes, insisted he was unaware of the application. In order to prove that he had nothing to hide, he said he has instructed the person renting his land to withdraw any development application filed with Mepa in relation to the property in question.

On Saturday, Dr Sant said Mepa granted an outline permit for a discotheque in Mistra on land belonging to Dr Pullicino Orlando. Mepa said later the permit has still not been approved and that it was recommending that the application should be refused.

Dr Pullicino Orlando yesterday challenged Dr Sant to hold a face-to-face public debate with him over the issue, after calling Dr Sant a coward for not having the courage to make the allegations in his presence.

Dr Pullicino Orlando said Dr Sant's tactics are even shocking his closest aides. He said he will be instituting legal proceedings against Dr Sant today.

At the same activity, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi warned that a Nationalist victory is not to be taken for granted. 'We can still have Alfred Sant as Prime Minister in a few days' time.' he said. 'It's important that we keep convincing people that every vote counts,' Dr Gonzi added.