Prime Minister Joseph Muscat should issue the receipts of a private holiday to Dubai in the public interest and to prove transparency, the Nationalist Party said today. 

Dr Muscat has evaded a challenge made by the PN for 17 days, the party said in a statement. 

The Prime Minister and his family stayed at one of the most expensive hotels in Dubai during a one-week Easter holiday. 

"With his salary, the prime minister cannot afford such a hotel. It was therefore in the public interest to know whether the prime minister paid for his stay or whether it was a gift," the PN said. 

SIMON BUSUTTIL CAN'T GO ANY LOWER - PL

In a reply, the Labour Party said Dr Busuttil could not go lower than at present asking for the receipts of a Prime Minister's private visit with his family which he paid for.

To make matters worse, he also said yesterday that deputy leader Mario de Marco could retain is position in spite of him having had works done at his home by a contractor at a time when he was responsible for the Planning Authority.

He also did not say anything about his deputy Beppe Fenech Adami who had still not published anything in spite of allegations of having a permit for works at his home issued in an abusive manner and that he did not pay for an extension to his home.

Dr Busuttil was also insisted on an anonymous party funding scheme which raised major suspicions. He should realise that the people hated his politics