Franco Debono insisted this afternoon that it was "absolutely not true" that the prime minister had told him that he would not hold him responsible for the calling of an early election if he abstained, rather than voted against the government in the no-confidence vote tomorrow.

"That is an absolute falsity" Dr Debono said in an angry reaction to reports.

"If this story was fabricated to instigate me to reveal what was said in my meeting with the prime minister last Sunday, I will not do it because what was said in confidence stays in confidence - like I never revealed what was said when Dr Gonzi visited me at home in 2009.

"The meeting (on Sunday) was inconclusive and since then I have had no further communication with the prime minister, personally or otherwise." 

He also insisted that he, alone, was responsible for his actions.

Dr Debono is due to speak for an hour during the no confidence debate in parliament this evening.

He said this afternoon that nothing had changed in his issues with the government.

Two days ago he said that the current political crisis may be resolved if the prime minister starts getting advice from the right people. He also insisted that those who had failed the government should resign.  

On Monday Dr Debono said the possibility did exist that he would abstain in the vote, rather than vote against the government.

But he stressed that he would still not be supporting the governemnt.

"This could save the government, but with the motion neither being approved nor rejected, the ball would then be in the prime minister's court to decide a way forward," he said.

One of the decisions which the prime minister would then have to take would be whether to go for early elections. 

Reports in other media said Dr Debono was told to abstain and an election would then be called for May, but he would not be blamed.