The Nationalist Party’s amendments to a legal notice regulating leave for couples undergoing the process of medically assisted procreation were yesterday branded “regressive” by the Labour Party.

Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne and Equality Minister Helena Dalli levelled this accusation at a news conference, in which they gave their reaction to a PN parliamentary motion presented a few days ago.

The amendments immediately fuelled controversy, as they were perceived by some as an attempt to discriminate against lesbian couples and infertile women.

However, the PN refuted such claims, saying the motive was solely to prevent the government from breaching the Embryo Protection Act.

In its reaction the PL yesterday accused PN leader Adrian Delia of resorting to regressive policies barely 24 hours following his co-option to Parliament.

Dr Dalli pointed out the 100 hours of leave granted under the notice came from amendments to the Employment and Industrial Relations Act. She added that any form of discrimination was in breach of the Constitution.