RCC absolved and thanked by PN Executive

2253 hrs

Addressing a press conference after the end of the marathon PN Executive meeting, PN leader Lawrence Gonzi said that no evidence had been presented by Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando or his witnesses to substantiate his claims against Richard Cachia Caruana. He stressed that the process was democratic and hinted that no further action against Pullicino Orlando is expected following last week's decision not to let him contest the general election on the PN list.  The affidavids of the the two Labour MPs Joe Mizzi and Karmenu Vella were read out, and John Dalli and Gordon Pisani's testimonies were also heard, Gonzi confirmed. He said he now expects everyone to respect the decision of the PN Executive and that his goverment will serve right up to the end of the legislature.

2223 hrs:

The Executive Committee of the PN, through a show of hands, unanimously rejected Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando's request for the explusion of Richard Cachia Cachia from the party and thanked Cachia Caruana for his service to the country. Pullicino Orlando was asked to withdraw his request for expulsion but he refused. Earlier in the day the MP  warned that if he sees a 'fait accomplit' in the evening's meeting he would seriously consider quitting the PN.

2210 hrs:

The marathon PN Executive Committee meeting has ended a little after 5 hours of proceedings. PN leader Lawrence Gonzi is expected to address the media in a few minutes' time. On his way out of the meeting Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando did not give any comments to the journalists assembled in front of the Dar Ċentrali.

2205 hrs:

The PN Executive Committee meeting which started at 1700 hrs was still going on at 2200 hrs, save for a few minutes break. The Committee had decided that it wanted to decide today in one sitting on Nationalist MP's Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando's request to expel Richard Cachia Caruana from the PN.

2105hrs:

John Dalli has testified via teleconferencing at the PN's Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday evening, giving a piece of his mind on the state of the PN. Former Minister Dalli was one of the witnesses called by PN MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando, did give his presentation on his reasons why Richard Cachia Caruan should be expelled from the party at the beginning of the meeting.

Earlier:

It's a one to one battle between PN backbencher Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and former Permanent Representative of Malta to the European Union Richard Cachia Caruana, as it seems that the five witnesses listed by Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando on Breakfast ONE News this morning,  to  testify this evening in the PN’s Executive Committee meeting on the case of the request to expel Richard Cachia Caruana from the PN, has dwindled to only one. However news have just been spreading  that the European Commissioner John Dalli, stuck in Brussels, will still give evidence to the PN Committee this evening by video conference.

Both LP MPs Joe Mizzi and Karmenu Vassallo have refused to attend as they said that the PN Executive is not a judicial body.   Police Commissioner John Rizzo stated that he does not want to get involved with politics. And last but not least, Gordon Pisani, the Government's Chief of Communications, the only witness to attend, has already declared that he does not have any direct or indirect information about Richard Cachia Caruana.

The PN Executive Committee is expected to start at 17.00h with security already baracading the PN headquarters. Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has already entered the building.