The architect behind the controversial development in Baħrija has "categorically" denied putting any pressure on the planning authority.

"As if! I'm not crazy," Robert Musumeci said yesterday, insisting that the case did not affect his professional integrity as an architect because it was his job to defend planning applications.

He said he had never put any pressure on the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, not even in this case, which revolves around a permit to rebuild a farmhouse in Baħrija belonging to the former president of the Nationalist Party, Victor Scerri.

Dr Scerri resigned as PN president last Tuesday, shortly after it emerged that the planning authority's auditor, Joe Falzon, had finalised a damning report in which he concluded that the permit had been issued illegally.

In fact, the authority has now said it would be revoking the permit.

This would be the second permit for a development represented by Mr Musumeci that was being revoked. Last year, the authority similarly blocked a four-storey apartment block close to Lija's picturesque Belvedere after first approving it.

Mr Musumeci, who is also PN's Siġġiewi mayor, insisted that none of this reflected badly on his integrity as an architect.

He argued it was his duty to pursue the application of a client, much like a lawyer defending a client against prosecution in court.

Most of all, he denied putting any pressure on anyone, which the auditor's report hinted at.

"I did not even speak to the case officer about it," Mr Musumeci said.

He said it was normal for negative recommendations by the planning officers (as was the case four times with the Baħrija farmhouse) to be overturned. He said any overturned recommendation would be criticised but this was a democratic process and, "God forbid", that a recommendation should be made final without giving the applicant the chance to make his counter proposals in the same way that lawyers defended people who were being prosecuted.

"It would be very unhealthy and undemocratic to be suspicious of any overturned recommendation," he said, adding that his counterproposals were public and he had defended the case on a technical level but did not make the final decision.

He said he had no doubt that Dr Scerri's political position had a bearing on this case.

Asked what he thought about the revocation of the permit, Mr Musumeci said he would be reacting during an upcoming public hearing. "I will make my reaction in the public hearing. I do not want to compromise my presentation," he said, adding that he would be giving his views about the whole process.