John Bonello, international secretary of the Nationalist Party, said this afternoon that he was staying in his post but his workload would be reduced at his request.

Mr Bonello was reacting to reports that he had stepping down.

He said he had asked the party to reduce his workload so that he could have more time for his private life and profession as a lawyer, and his request was accepted.

The developments, he said, had nothing to do with the current political situation and he had no differences with the party.