Labour Party veteran MP Joe Debono Grech, who resigned from the party the day after Joseph Muscat was elected party leader, formally returned to the fold yesterday in the party's new style: hugging the leader.

He was drawn on stage during a party activity in Cospicua by Dr Muscat himself, who left Mr Debono Grech for last after mentioning a number of other pariahs who were present at the event.

The fiery MP, who is not known for public displays of affection, hugged Dr Muscat and a few others that were on stage after Dr Muscat announced his formal return to the party. "There's a certain paper you've sent apparently," Dr Muscat said of Mr Debono Grech's resignation letter. "Well, if you don't mind, I tore it."

Mr Debono Grech would not comment on the reason or reasons that led to his resignation or what had made him change his mind when questioned just before the activity started, saying only: "Thank you for your questions but I don't want to comment".

He had refused to make any form of statement during the past weeks and is said to have even told off relatives of his who had met MLP officials to try to sort out his grievances after he resigned.

Yesterday's public gesture chimed with Dr Muscat's message of unity, which he has been peddling since his election earlier this month.

Before Mr Debono Grech, former Cospicua mayor Pawlu Muscat, who was estranged from the MLP in 2000, was pulled on stage weeping as he embraced the party's leadership.

He had been censured by the party's Vigilance and Disciplinary Board when he admitted that he had lied when he said he had tampered with the vote that elected Alfred Sant leader in 1992.

Even Dr Muscat's former rival in the leadership contest, Michael Falzon, was present among the crowd. Referred to as "a pillar of the Labour Party" by Dr Muscat during his speech, Dr Falzon told The Times that his presence bore no particular symbolism. "I said that I would keep working within the party. This is one of my districts and it's business as usual," he said.