Nationalist MP Franco Debono finally broke his three-day silence today to explain his absence during voting on two amendments to a government motion in Parliament on Monday.

Although he did not specify exactly why he had left Parliament, Dr Debono said he had left two hours before the vote was taken.

Speaking to The Times, Dr Debono said his actions were not an "ego trip" since a negative vote in Parliament would have meant he would have lost chairmanship of the parliament committee on the codification of laws.

He said he had never been pressured to resign from the party or from Parliament.

Dr Debono told The Times his actions had nothing to do with Speaker Louis Galea.

There were reports this week that Dr Debono was angry that Dr Galea - a candidate on his own district - might find his way back in the Cabinet after John Dalli leaves.

Dr Debono said he was pleased Dr Galea had the possibility of being elected to Parliament, through a casual election, once Mr Dalli took on the job of EU Commissioner. Dr Debono said it was pertinent to point out that he was not absent on a vote that could have toppled the government.

Dr Debono was absent from the Chamber while MPs voted on amendments to a motion to set up a select committee to draw up regulations on assisted procreation. One amendment was proposed by the opposition, calling for the Speaker to chair the committee instead of a Nationalist MP. The other amendment, moved by the government, was on the term within which the committee should submit its report. Both amendments were defeated after the Speaker cast his vote.

It was only when Dr Debono returned and voted that the original motion was approved. Dr Debono also voted in favour of another motion setting up a Committee on the Codification of Laws, which he will chair.

Full interview with Dr Debono in The Times tomorrow.