Nationalist Party leadership candidate Frank Portelli this morning came in drubbing from his own party for comments he made recently concerning immigration and gay people. 

In a statement this morning, the PN reiterated its stand against xenophobia and homophobia.

It referred to comments by Dr Portelli that 80 per cent of migrants in Malta have no claim to international protection and should be repatriated.

Dr Portelli also said that Joseph Muscat was using gay people as political pawns. 

The PN said its policy was to treat people in a dignified manner and that it opposed all forms of xenophobia. Any comments that encouraged xenophobia, either directly or indirectly, went against the principles and values of the PN and against the party line, it said. 

The same went for sexual orientation, the party said. 

It appealed to candidates contesting the leadership election to remember that the party leader's role was first and foremost to follow the party's policy and lead by example, living the values and principles according to the party statute.

Dr Portelli is contesting the PN leadership with Adrian Delia, Alex Perici Calascione and Chris Said.