Newly-elected PN leader Simon Busuttil this evening justified his party's decision to have two deputy leaders, denying this was some form of appeasement.

Dr Busuttil said the proposal was intended to alleviate the burden on the secretary general. "When the PN was in government we realised that all the party work fell onto the shoulders of one man, the secretary general," he said, turning to outgoing secretary general Paul Borg Olivier.

Political observers have interpreted the PN's move to appoint two deputy leaders instead of one, as a means to rope in Mario de Marco, who lost the leadership bid to Dr Busuttil last week. The decision, which still awaits approval from the party councillors, was criticised by former MP Jean Pierre Farrugia.

Dr Busuttil was speaking after a courtesy visit at the Labour headquarters where he met Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

Asked whether such a move was a sign of no confidence in the secretary general, Dr Busuttil said there was a lot of work to be done even in Opposition. In a side reaction, Dr Borg Olivier, who was present for the meeting, said he fully supported the move.

The meeting between the two delegations lasted some 45 minutes and this was the first such encounter between Dr Muscat and Dr Busuttil since the latter became PN leader.

At the start of the meeting before journalists were asked to leave the room - the bulk of the talks were held behind closed doors -  Dr Muscat said he had a good personal relationship with Dr Busuttil's predecessor, Lawrence Gonzi and augured the same would happen now.

"Politically we were tough with each other and I expect no political discounts from Simon. Likewise he should not expect any discount from us," Dr Muscat said, adding the advantage was that he had worked with Dr Busuttil as an MEP.

Dr Busuttil said he would extend the hand of friendship and cooperation but the Opposition would be "tough" on the Government out of loyalty to those who voted for it and in respect of its constitutional role.