Maltese President George Vella has said he would rather resign than sign a bill concerning abortion.

“I will never sign a bill that involves the authorisation of murder,” Vella said in comments to Net News, stating that his position on the matter has always been clear.

“I cannot stop the executive from deciding, that is up to Parliament.  But I do have the liberty, if I don’t agree with a bill, to resign and go home, I have no problem doing this.”

Vella, who is a doctor by profession, has frequently spoken out against abortion. Asked whether there were any exceptions where one might consider abortion permissible, Vella said there were no half measures to murder.

“You have either killed or not killed, there can be no half death. I’m very clear, there are no ifs and buts.”

Last week independent MP Marlene Farrugia presented a bill to parliament calling for the decriminalisation of abortion, a move lauded by pro-choice activists and condemned by pro-life organisations.