The Nationalist Party has no plans to expel MPs Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, Franco Debono and Jesmond Mugliett after they voted out of line with the government in recent weeks, top party sources said.

He has to prove what he has alleged

The sources said there was no need to throw them out of the party.

“There are other ways of sending a message,” the sources said, adding that the three MPs would remain party members throughout the legislature.

Asked what would happen if a party member filed a motion to expel the MPs, the sources said no one could be stopped from doing so.

“But the party machine has absolutely no intention of throwing them out of the party and never had any such idea.”

Instead, the PN is paving the way for Dr Pullicino Orlando to substantiate his latest allegations that Malta’s outgoing Permanent Representative to the EU, Richard Cachia Caruana, had colluded with Labour in 1996.

Dr Pullicino Orlando yesterday met with deputy leader Tonio Borg, general secretary Paul Borg Olivier and executive committee president Marthese Portelli to discuss a way forward on his motion.

“We know what his allegations are about,” the PN sources said, hinting that Dr Pullicino Orlando would not be able to substantiate them and was trying to bluff his way into a new situation to avoid having to back his claims.

“He has to prove what he alleged about Mr Cachia Caruana,” the sources said.

Prime Minister and PN leader Lawrence Gonzi recently said that further action would be considered against the MPs following the condemnation issued by the party in their regard.

Dr Pullicino Orlando voted with the opposition on motion to oust Mr Cachia Caruana from his role as Malta’s EU Ambassador. Mr Mugliett abstained on the same vote.

Dr Debono had voted for an opposition motion of no confidence against former Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici, forcing him to resign.

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