Terms of reference for PN party internal mediation drawn up

Nationalist Party (PN) MEP Francis Zammit Dimech and former deputy leader Tonio Borg have drawn up a draft of the terms of reference for mediation between party leader Adrian Delia and MP Simon Busuttil, as two factions within the party appear to be facing off.

Busuttil has rejected a call by Delia to suspend himself from the PN parliamentary group following the publication of the conclusions of a magisterial inquiry which has found no evidence of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and his wife Michelle owning the Panama company Egrant.

Speaking to this newsroom, Zammit Dimech said that both he and Borg had met with Delia and submitted the draft terms of reference. If the party leader agrees, then the two will meet Simon Busuttil.

The target, he said, was to resolve the issue over the coming days, to formulate a reasonable and honourable way forward for everyone concerned, and to guarantee unity. He would not divulge details of the draft, stating that it would not be right or fair on those involved who have not yet seen them to learn the contents from the media.

Former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi had also offered to mediate, however was not part of this mediation team, this newsroom was informed. Gonzi, who led the PN between 2004

and 2013, held a first meeting with Busuttil, who succeeded him at the helm of the party, on Wednesday morning. Gonzi had also met with current leader Adrian Delia on Tuesday, with the two meeting again yesterday morning.

Gonzi resigned from the PN leadership soon after losing the 2013 election, and later also resigned from Parliament. Busuttil chose to only resign from the leadership but retained his parliamentary seat.

Busuttil, after Caruana Galizia had written on her blog about Delia’s difficulties with his income tax as well as other allegations relating to his work as a lawyer, had called on Delia to withdraw his candidacy for the party leadership. Delia persisted in his bid and was eventually elected leader.

Delia has now asked Busuttil to suspend himself after the release of the Egrant inquiry conclusions, and is backed by the party’s administrative council. But a group of 10 MPs have rallied in support of Busuttil. These 10 MPs, including both former deputy leaders Beppe Fenech Adami and Mario de Marco, are known to be meeting in a Valletta office to discuss a strategy and the way forward.