Members of the pro-divorce lobby have strongly denied that they want abortion to follow the introduction of divorce.

Fielding questions during a press conference on divorce today, chairman of the pro-divorce movement Deborah Schembri said she was vehemently against abortion, and that even though certain countries which had divorce had abortion, the two trains of thought leading to their introduction were completely separate.

"Divorce legislation impinges on no fundamental human rights," Dr Schembri said.

Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando said that he was pro-life to the point he had defended Malta's pro-life stand in the Council of Europe, while Evarist Bartolo said he had backed a proposal to enshrine the rights of the child in the constitution.

During the press conference, Dr Schembri said that a cohabitation law would not benefit separated couples, as the state could not recognise a new union while there was an old one still in place.

This meant that any benefits or protection would not be available for the people who needed them most.

"It's important to have a cohabitation law after a divorce law introduced," Dr Schembri said, adding that the only way to protect separated people in new relationships was through divorce.