The Nationalist Party today ‘noted with concern’ the statement by a number of Malta's environmental NGOs that Ian Borg's position within Joseph Muscat’s cabinet is "no longer tenable".

Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, Ramblers and Friends of the Earth called for Ian Borg's resignation after a report drawn up by the Ombudsman's office highlighted the “deliberate" and "devious manner” in which a development permit on a property in Rabat was applied for.

The NGOs also called for measures to "weed out such corrupt manipulations and put into effect systems to ensure accountability and transparency".

The PN said just a few weeks ago, Ian Borg was responsible for €11 million of national funds having to be used to bailout the Coast Road project, after EU funds were withdrawn due to procurement irregularities.

"This is yet another case where this Government has again failed to reach the standards the Maltese public expects and deserves from its elected representatives. Its environmental credentials are non-existent, with institutional corruption and lack of any transparency being the order of the day. Malta deserves better", said EU and Foreign Affairs Shadow Minister Roberta Metsola.

"People expect political responsibility to be shouldered. The Prime Minister must act and not simply shrug it off. Unfortunately we have learnt not to expect any better from this Government,” said Shadow Minister Marthese Portelli.