John Dalli has refused to rule out contesting the Nationalist Party leadership should the PN lose the next election, he tells The Sunday Times in an interview today.

Speaking just days after Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi appointed him as a personal consultant on economic matters, Mr Dalli said: "If someone asks me to take on the party's leadership today I will say that I am not in a position (to do so)..."

Yet, when asked whether he would contest the position should the party lose the next general election, he said: "Nobody knows what will happen in the future... I would say I have the same consideration as the first time..."

Mr Dalli, 59, was appointed special consultant to the Prime Minister last week after Dr Gonzi said during a news conference that the former foreign and finance minister had been cleared of all allegations made against him back in 2004.

The claims revolved around a contract for the local representation of an Iranian shipping line, the tender for the purchase of equipment for Mater Dei Hospital and the procurement of air tickets for the Foreign Ministry.

He resigned as foreign minister three years ago, shortly after Dr Gonzi defeated him in a leadership contest.

When he left the Cabinet post he said there had been a campaign against him, an allegation he still maintains today.