Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1069175
4 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 9 JANUARY 2019 Delia: marital problems nothing to do with PN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 HE denied that his personal troubles had an impact on his ability to run the party and in- sisted he was not dragging the PN down. "A personal separation has nothing to do with the abil- ity of leading a party… Men- tion one instance where I have failed to do my job, failed to turn up, or where I wasn't focused or in control," Delia said. He said the fact his personal phone messages were being disseminated by PN exponents meant that, if anything, he was a victim not the perpetrator. In a combative mood, Delia insisted the PN had to put up a united front, four months before two important electoral appointments in May. Asked whether he enjoyed the support of a majority of MPs, Delia insisted he could not answer that question but added that he was never chal- lenged. "I know that I have overwhelming support from people beyond the party walls who understand what I am passing through because after all I was elected by the people for the people," Delia insisted. He said the latest bout of internal criticism was an at- tempt to undermine improved poll results – he was referring to the December MaltaToday survey. When asked who the traitors referred to in an early morn- ing WhatsApp message were, Delia retorted: "People who are not accepting a democratic result." Delia is the first PN leader to be elected by the vote of party members after the statute was changed by his predecessor. PN MPs reticent over Delia spectacle MASSIMO COSTA WE spoke to a number of PN MPs to ask what they thought Adrian Delia should do in the circumstances, and whether they felt he should call a vote of confidence, in his leader- ship, in the party's General Council. Here is what they said. MaltaToday tried to con- tact all Nationalist Party MPs, but multiple attempts to call, or reach via text mes- sage, those whose names are not listed were unsuccess- ful. Karl Gouder "It's more a question of what the party should do, rather than Adrian Delia. We should sit together, and understand each other and the situation we are going through, and then chart a way forward." "God forbid it should come to [a confidence vote]. We are all mature people and can discuss how the party should move ahead." Hermann Schiavone Questioned regarding a confidence vote, Schiavone said Delia should not call for one. "Because not a sin- gle councillor in the General Council has requested this," he said. Beppe Fenech Adami "I have no comment to make." Mario Galea "Adrian Delia should keep leading the party. I have ab- solute faith in him." David Agius, deputy leader Agius declined to com- ment, saying all media que- ries should be directed to the PN's information office. David Stellini "In the circumstances, which are very urgent, De- lia should convene all of the party's organs – the parlia- mentary group, the Admin- istrative Council and the Ex- ecutive Council – so people can start discussing things instead of speaking in their own echo chambers, and re-establish an element of trust. I don't see that he has any other alternative than to do this." On whether a confidence vote should be called, Stel- lini said he wasn't exclud- ing anything. "But I think the first stage is to discuss and debate, including about Delia's leadership, and he should be given all the space to answer any questions. We can then move on from there." Jason Azzopardi "I have no comment to make at this stage." Robert Cutajar "I don't feel this is some- thing which calls for a com- ment on the phone. I think this matter should be dis- cussed internally, in the right forum."