Renè Rossignaud yesterday denied that the Nationalist Party had exerted pressure on him to resign as a Swieqi local councillor and as a member of Alternattiva Demokratika.

Following Mr Rossignaud's resignation on Wednesday, AD claimed that he had stepped down following continuous pressure by the PN. It accused the PN of being in a state of panic in view of the rising support AD was enjoying. AD said that while it was sorry that Mr Rossignaud caved in to pressure, it wanted to thank him for his service to the Swieqi community. AD was committed to continue working in this electoral campaign in spite of the continuous attacks from the PN and its exponents, it said.

Mr Rossignaud, however, insisted yesterday the decision to resign was entirely his and his alone and followed a long period of reflection.

He reserved the right to take legal action regarding AD's allegation.

AD's spokesman for sustainable development, Carmel Cacopardo, told a press conference yesterday he understood Mr Rossignaud's position. He claimed that he too was subjected to pressure this week from "someone close" to the PN who told him that now that Environment Minister George Pullicino was out of the way, there were no problems and he could return.

"What I answered," Mr Cacopardo said, "is not publishable material".

Asked who the person was, Mr Cacopardo would only say it was someone who had had a meeting with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi a couple of hours before he called him.