The Nationalist Party has requested an explanation from the Prime Minister about the case of MP Luciano Busuttil.

A Court of Appeal yesterday annulled a call for tenders by Cospicua council and expressed concern about allegations made by one of the bidders about conflict of interest by Dr Busuttil, a lawyer, who advised both the council and the bidder selected for the contract.

The court ordered the adjudication process to start afresh and for a copy of its judgment to be delivered to the Attorney General, the director of contracts and the Commission for the Administration of Justice for the necessary investigations to be carried out.

In a statement this afternoon, the PN said the court’s declaration was a very serious one and the Prime Minister could not remain silent when such an accusation was made on one of his MPs.

He should say whether he was going to defend Dr Busuttil or if he would be taking steps against him, until the case was heard.