Gift of Life, the lobby group campaigning to entrench a ban on abortion in the Constitution, yesterday met Labour leader Joseph Muscat who asked for more time to allow him and the MLP to reflect on the proposal.

"We welcome the fact that Dr Muscat mentioned that he will use this time to exchange opinions with other members of Parliament to help to determine the way forward," GOL said.

It said the meeting was "cordial and very constructive" during which views were exchanged on the proposed amendment to the Constitution.

"We are pleased that Dr Muscat has again reiterated that the party is firmly against abortion. We explained that our proposal has more to do with acting in favour of human life," GOL said.

"Dr Muscat said that he agreed that the unborn child does indeed have the right to life."

GOL said its campaign was about putting into practice what everyone at the meeting agreed on. "Therefore, this amendment would be the most congruent way to act, given that the constitutional right to life is not clearly extended to the unborn child as things stand."

The MLP said that while Dr Muscat made it clear that he was against abortion he said he personally had reservations about the proposed amendment.