Updated 11.45 a.m.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi in his first comments on what happened ahead of the Xarabank programme, said this morning that this was a throwback to old Labour at its worst.

Speaking on Radio 101, Dr Gonzi said that while he was proud of having Simon Busuttil as PN deputy leader and had awaited his comments on TV, Joseph Muscat was evidently embarrassed at having Anġlu Farrugia.

The people, he said, had been awaiting a civilised debate ahead of making their electoral choices. 

He had hoped to hear Dr Farrugia explain how Labour would fund its promises, how it would fund its promised reduction of power bills, how it would create jobs and what the audit of civil servants was all about. 

But it was clear that Labour did not have policies and answers and was even keeping its two deputy leaders away from the microphones.

What was happening was a throwback to the past when Labour controlled broadcasting and even the use of the word 'Malta' was banned'.

He said the throwback to the past was also evident in the actions of the GWU and its media, with the union practically telling its supports to vote Labour, and the union media ignoring positive economic news.

XARABANK DEBATE TO BE HELD TONIGHT

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Xarabank will be held tonight, again featuring the debate between the deputy leaders of the PL and the PN.

Earlier today, a spokesman for the PL said this morning that the PL was ready to have the debate between Dr Busuttil and Dr Farrugia on Xarabank even though PBS had turned down its request to have a moderator who was agreed by both sides.

"Anglu Farrugia has no problem holding a debate with Simon Busuttil, but Simon Busuttil is afraid of facing Franco Debono," the spokesman said.