Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando has declared he will not vote at the next election despite saying he is planning to contest again on the PN ticket after that takes place.

The MP, who had previously announced he would not be contesting the next election, made the comments in an interview with The Sunday Times held after he made allegations that Eddie Fenech Adami’s former chief of staff Richard Cachia Caruana colluded with Labour in 1996 to “feather his own nest”.

Dr Pullicino Orlando had issued a statement on Tuesday morning saying he would substantiate his claims during the interview with The Sunday Times, but he failed to do so when asked to produce evidence – adding that he would present it before the party executive at a later date.

Mr Cachia Caruana has said he considers the claims to be “ridiculous”, and that Dr Pullicino Orlando is “obviously losing touch with reality”.

Dr Pullicino Orlando, who recently voted for an opposition motion to oust Mr Cachia Caruana from his role as Malta’s permanent representative to the EU, stands by his decision.

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Mario de Marco today says the Nationalist Party is “bleeding” and calls for urgent and effective action to heal the internal wounds.

Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil has also said the PN must come clean about the fact that it is “divided”.

See full interview at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120701/interview/-If-some-people-don-t-believe-me-that-s-their-prerogative-.426646