The chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika, Harry Vassallo, insisted yesterday that the extension of the development boundaries by Environment Minister George Pullicino not only represented a direct defiance to the EU but also deliberately disappointed "the hopes of thousands who expected the rule of law to be bolstered rather than be defeated by Malta's EU membership".

"The fact that Minister Pullicino has not been contacted by anybody from Brussels does not mean his actions are not under close scrutiny. "Simply because he is in the dark does not mean he is not under investigation," Dr Vassallo said in a statement.

His comments were the latest in a range of statements that started on Sunday when Dr Vassallo warned people against buying property in the newly extended development zones. He said the measure was under EU investigation and AD had just presented the European Commission with a report arguing that the exercise breached the Strategic Environmental Assessment (Sea) Directive.

The ministry insisted on Tuesday that the European Commission "has not undertaken any formal correspondence" relating to the directive and the development zones rationalisation exercise".

It strongly rejected Dr Vassallo's charge of having defied the EU and its rules.

Dr Vassallo yesterday said that what Mr Pullicino had done was a direct challenge to the EU whether he intended it or not and whether he could appreciate the extent of his violation or not.

"Minister Pullicino's pitiable defence that his planning boundary extension exercise was certified correct by the Sea audit team duly appointed by him in terms of the Sea Directive only adds to the challenge he has thrown down to the EU Commission.

"The Sea audit team certified the uncertifiable and if it is allowed to get away with such a transparent sham, the whole Sea Directive will collapse not only in Malta but across the EU.

"When, not if, Malta is condemned for violating the Sea Directive, Minister Pullicino should tender his resignation.

"If he persists until Malta is fined by the EU, he and his party should be held responsible. Instead of threatening to take action against his critics, Minister Pullicino would do better to promise to pay any fines due from his own pocket," Dr Vassallo said.