Updated 2.50pm

Xagħra councillor Kevin Cutajar will be co-opted to Parliament following the approval of the Nationalist Party's executive committee on Saturday.

Applause could be heard inside the the PN headquarters as soon as he was approved.

Dr Cutajar will be taking up the seat vacated by David Stellini. He was the only candidate running to fill the seat. 

Speaking to the press following his approval, Dr Cutajar said it would be a privilege to serve and said it was positive that the Nationalist Party, which he had always believed in, had done the right thing.

The vacated Parliamentary seat, he said, belonged to Gozo and should stay there according to Gozitans’ will.

As a Gozitan, he was extremely satisfied to see Gozitans unite behind his cause. Gozitans should learn from this and unite on more causes, he said. 

Dr Cutajar, who lost his vision as a teenager, said that the PN's decision to co-opt him into parliament was proof that one's abilities could overcome any disabilities.

He said it was his privilege and responsibility to serve the Maltese and this was not a point of arrival but one of departure.

The page now had to be turned and he would do his utmost to carry his new responsibility and translate it into something of benefit to the people.

Second co-option vote

The meeting followed another one a week ago, when an initial vote to fill Mr Stellini's seat was taken and won by Jean Pierre Debono, by just two votes.

Mr Debono later said he would not be taking his oath of office as an MP after it emerged that two of the executive members who cast their vote were not eligible to do so.

The PN leadership was then threatened with legal action by the party’s regional committee in Gozo if it persisted with Mr Debono’s co-option.

During the week, party general secretary Clyde Puli called other Gozitan candidates urging them to join the race for the vacant parliamentary seat. They declined the offer.

All Gozo candidates were contacted - Delia

Opposition leader Adrian Delia on Saturday confirmed he knew secretary general Clyde Puli was calling other candidates to join the race.

Fielding questions from the media outside the Nationalist Party headquarters ahead of the executive committee meeting, Dr Delia told Times of Malta Mr Puli had his blessing to make the calls.

He explained that as it had been decided that the seat would be taken up by Gozitan candidates, it had to be ensured that everyone was aware that they could join the race.

Asked why this was not done last week, Dr Delia said that there was no need at the time because it had not yet been decided that only those from Gozo would be considered.

Speaking after the meeting, Dr Delia said it was obvious that there would be concern, problems and turmoil after a number of consecutive mammoth defeats.

Although the party had not found a solution to everything with Saturday’s decision, it was acknowledging the clear message of the people and would try to see what its strengths were and build on them.