The conflict between Alfred Sant and Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando came to the boil yesterday when the recording of a TV press conference had to be put off after the Labour leader objected to the presence of the Nationalist candidate who was representing the PN media as a journalist.
The Broadcasting Authority, organiser of the programme, said in a statement that the press conference had to be cancelled following Dr Pullicino Orlando's insistence on remaining in the studio even after he was told by authority chairman Joseph Scicluna that according to procedure he could not take part in the event. The Nationalist Party, however, contested the BA's version of events saying the authority changed its decision only after pressure was brought to bear on it by the Labour Party and by Dr Sant.
The PN also issued footage showing the authority's CEO Kevin Aquilina telling Dr Pullicino Orlando that he could take part, after Dr Aquilina had sought advice from the authority's legal adviser Ian Refalo.
In a statement broadcast on the Labour Party station, One TV, sometime after walking out of PBS in Guardamangia, Dr Sant accused the Nationalist Party of provocation and of orchestrating the incident to disrupt his press conference.
Contacted by the Times, Dr Aquilina refused to comment on the footage showing him agreeing to Dr Pullicino Orlando's participation.
"I don't want to confirm or deny," he replied hastily when asked.
Contacted to clarify this issue, the BA's chairman Joseph Scicluna explained that the legal advice given to Dr Aquilina was that the Nationalist MP could be on the programme as long as the Labour Party had no objections.
However, Gordon Pisani, the Nationalist Party's director of information, denied that Dr Aquilina had in fact told Dr Pullicino Orlando that his participation was conditional.
"The BA's CEO told Dr Pullicino Orlando that he could participate and sent him in for make-up.
"At no point did he tell him that he could take part if the Labour Party didn't object.
"It was only after Dr Sant's pressure that the BA changed its version," Mr Pisani maintained.
At around 12.30 p.m., Television House in Guardamangia was inundated with journalists as the news broke that Dr Pullicino Orlando was to represent the Nationalist media at Dr Sant's press conference.
Dr Pullicino Orlando has been insisting on a face-to-face debate with the Labour leader for the past four days following corruption allegations levelled by Dr Sant over a permit for development on a parcel of land in Mistra owned by the Nationalist candidate.
Dr Pullicino Orlando had turned up twice at news conferences where he believed that Dr Sant would make the allegations, only for the latter to give him the slip last Saturday and call a press conference in Mistra.
Yesterday, carrying a journalists' accreditation card issued by the Department of Information, Dr Pullicino Orlando was sent in for make-up and shown his place in the TV studio after being given the go-ahead by the BA's CEO.
Arriving a few minutes later, Dr Sant objected to Dr Pullicino Orlando's presence and to the Nationalist candidate being given the right to ask him questions.
He insisted that the BA issue a ruling.
Following a short meeting with all the parties involved, Dr Sant, accompanied by party secretary general Jason Micallef and by Nationalist officials, including general secretary Joe Saliba, entered the TV studio.
After exchanging greetings with Anna Bonanno, who was to chair the broadcast, Dr Sant pointed to Dr Pullicino Orlando and asked: "What is he doing here?"
Mr Saliba intervened stating he had every right to be there and to ask questions.
Sitting among the journalists, Dr Pullicino Orlando repeatedly challenged Dr Sant not to run away and to face his questions.
"Why are you running away from me after you tarnished my name with corruption allegations? Now you have the opportunity to answer my questions in my presence. You should be ashamed of yourself for making these allegations and running away," he said.
Dr Sant did not comment but insisted that the BA chairman ask Dr Pullicino Orlando to leave.
Mr Scicluna told Dr Pullicino Orlando that after consulting the authority's CEO it was decided that he could not be allowed to take part because according to procedures, party candidates could not do so.
Dr Pullicino Orlando and the Nationalist officials objected to what they saw as a change of heart by the BA.
At this point Dr Sant said that the police should be brought to the studio to escort the Nationalist candidate out, with Dr Pullicino Orlando still insisting that Dr Sant should answer his questions.
After several minutes, Dr Aquilina ordered everyone out of the studio except the participants so that the recording could get underway. It was at this juncture that Dr Sant decided to walk out.
He did not make any comments on his way out but Mr Micallef cried "faxxisti" (fascists).
The BA said that it is in discussion with all concerned so that the press conference will be aired tonight.