Speaker Michael Frendo has reacted to the Labour Party’s accusations of being “partisan” and “factually incorrect” in one of two rulings he gave on Wednesday.

“The ruling was absolutely factually correct and objectively applied the rules as they stand,” Dr Frendo said, after clarifying the sequence of events with audio tapes and transcripts. There were two rulings, the second being more contentious than the first.

The issue began during a House Business Committee meeting where Labour representatives said they wanted to hold a discussion on the party’s divorce referendum motion by the end of next week. However, the government refused to give such a guarantee, even though Nationalist MP Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando said he too wanted a specific date next week to be set.

Labour Whip Joe Mizzi then went to Parliament to ask for a ruling on whether the debate could be held the following day. The Speaker denied the request on grounds that Parliament did not usually meet on Thursdays.

Mr Mizzi asked for a vote to be taken immediately but Dr Frendo turned down this request too ruling it was made after he had said that time was up and business was interrupted.

When contacted to see whether Labour stood by its claim of factual incorrectness, a spokesman for the party said: “Mr Mizzi gave notice that he would be asking for another ruling. Yet, the Speaker said that time had run out exactly before allowing the Labour Whip to move his second motion.”

The spokesman added the opposition reserved the right to contest the rulings.

“The major issue (on Wednesday) was the one clear fact that Lawrence Gonzi did everything possible to delay discussing the motion Labour presented on Monday, which has the backing of the absolute majority in Parliament.”