Chemimart owner Reginald Fava has resigned as chairman of the healthcare section within the Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry, saying he was "backstabbed" by a member who objected to the relocation of his Valletta pharmacy.

"I did what I had to do. I resigned because one particular member of the healthcare section was among those who objected to my temporary relocation," Mr Fava said, without revealing who he was referring to.

He resigned on May 26, just three weeks after he won a legal battle to relocate his pharmacy from City Gate, which is being demolished to make way for Renzo Piano's redesign of the city's entrance, to another property he owned in Republic Street. His resignation was not announced by the Chamber.

Mr Fava faced strong opposition from four pharmacy owners and the Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises - GRTU, which claimed in court that opening a pharmacy in Valletta's main road would breach a buffer zone the law said there should be between one pharmacy and the other.

Contacted yesterday, Mr Fava refused to disclose the name of the person who had "backstabbed" him but he admitted the individual was a pharmacy owner.

"I resigned immediately after the case, where I was proved right on all counts by the courts," he said. "After all these years in business, it's not the first time I was stabbed in the back. It's a pity but I did what I had to do."

Mr Fava said he confronted the council member in question asking why he had acted against him. "But he denied everything when I spoke to him. I told him to confirm it in writing and he didn't."

He has been involved in the Chamber for many years, first as president then as chairman of the healthcare business section. "I'm sorry I had to take this decision. I dedicated a lot of time and effort to the Chamber," Mr Fava said.

On learning about his resignation, the other council members asked him to stay on but he refused to go back on his word, he said. "I don't regret my decision. I never do."