PN deputy leader Mario de Marco must publish clear proof he intended to pay contractor Pierre Sladden for works carried out on his property, the Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Deborah Schembri said yesterday.

Addressing a Labour Party press conference, Dr Schembri said the mere publication of the invoices would not disprove that the €34,000 in construction works were intended to be a gift.

She also accused Opposition leader Simon Busuttil of lying in order to cover up for Dr de Marco. Dr Busuttil had lied when he said Dr de Marco published the invoices related to the works carried out on his house by Mr Sladden’s company.

No such invoices were published, Dr Schembri said.

Mr Sladden’s name appeared in the Panama Papers which claimed he had a company in the British Virgin Islands.

Tourism minister Edward Zammit Lewis said Dr Busuttil was confused and incapable of taking a decision.

He expected high standards from the government yet did not apply these same standards to the Opposition.

Asked if he intended to contest the PL deputy leadership post vacated by Konrad Mizzi, Dr Zammit Lewis said he would take a decision in the coming days.

In a statement, the Nationalist Party said the only lie was that Dr de Marco had received a gift from Mr Sladden. The PN said Dr de Marco paid Mr Sladden for the works carried out as soon as an invoice was given to him.