Opposition leader Simon Busuttil insisted there is no split within the party and said he would not let anyone drive a wedge between him and deputy leader Mario de Marco.
Dr de Marco has come under fire for his role as legal adviser to Silvio Debono's db Group, which plans to develop hotels, apartments, restaurants and shopping malls in a €300m project planned for the St George's Bay site.
The Nationalist Party has expressed doubts about the way in which the site was valued and the contract negotiated and signed, and asked the Attorney General to investigate.
The problem is Joseph Muscat and the most corrupt government we ever had
Reacting to Labour claims of a rift within the higher echelons of the party, Dr Busuttil said during an interview on Radio 101 this morning: "Some people are trying to give the impression of a split in the party – there is no split. Mario de Marco is here and he's here to stay. I'm the leader of the party and I'm satisfied with the way Mario has conducted himself, especially after his statement last night."
Dr de Marco expressed regret that his dual role as politician and lawyer had "upset or angered" people in recent weeks.
Speaking on Net TV, Dr de Marco said he had never met with a government minister or politician to discuss db Group's contract to take over the former ITS site at St George's Bay, and that his only two meetings with the government side were with the government's lawyer.
Reacting this morning, Dr Busuttil added: "I will let nobody put a wedge between us. I will let nobody dictate the PN's agenda for me... The problem is Joseph Muscat and the most corrupt government we ever had."
He reiterated that his party was in nobody's pocket and that is why the PN decided to object to the ITS deal despite fully knowing the identity and background of the investor.
Dr Busuttil said should his party be elected to government he would make sure that people were rewarded on merit.
"They cannot remain politicians' beggars, a system which once again the Labour Party has championed," he said.
Dr Busuttil also said that the PN will in the coming days release a policy document that will propose long-term solutions to Malta's traffic problems, including a tram or light railway system.