Joe Cassar's resignation yesterday was an earthquake in Maltese politics and a clear example of clean politics, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said this evening.

Speaking on Dissett, Dr Busuttil said Dr Cassar understood his standards and took the honourable decision on his own.

"In spite of denying the allegations made, he shouldered political responsibility so as not to be used to damage the party," Dr Busuttil said.

Dr Cassar allegedly permitted works at his home to be paid for by businessman Joe Gaffarena. Mr Gaffarena allegedly paid €8,150 for the works including the construction of a staircase and garden landscaping. Dr Cassar was also allegedly given a car as a gift by Mr Gaffarena for his 18-year-old daughter. Dr Cassar said he had paid for the car by donating €1,000 to the PN.

Dr Busuttil said attention had now turned to the government. The Opposition was setting standards but the people expect high standards from the government.

The people, he said, wanted to know what the Prime Minister was going to do with Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Dr Busuttil said, had place himself in position that he could not remove Dr Falzon because Dr Muscat was ultimately the minister responsible for lands. This meant that if he removed Dr Falzon he would also have to leave.

Dr Busuttil called for a set of standards highlighting what gifts were harmless for politicians to accept and what were not.