Labour MP Joseph Farrugia ‘il-Farell’ replied to journalists who yesterday asked if he would resign were he in Konrad Mizzi’s shoes by saying: “(I'll do so) when you resign.”

Mr Farrugia was one of several MPs questioned as they made their way into Parliament yesterday evening, a day after the massive Panama Papers were published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

Konrad Mizzi, along with OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri, has been under fire ever since it was revealed that he owns a Panamanian company which is administered by a New Zealand trust. Both men have ignored calls for their resignation. The pressure built up on Sunday after the ICIJ published a massive leak of documents dubbed Panama Papers. The documents, leaked from Panamanian law firm Mossack-Fonseca, expose the offshore holdings of 12 current and former world leaders.

They show how a global industry of law firms and big banks sells financial secrecy to politicians, fraudsters and drug traffickers as well as billionaires, celebrities and sports stars. Mossack Fonseca has helped clients launder money, dodge sanctions and evade tax. Konrad Mizzi’s name features in the list, although the ICIJ says the documents do not necessarily indicate criminal activity.

This newsroom asked government MPs whether they would resign had it been them, instead of Konrad Mizzi, on the Panama Papers list. Most of them refused to comment or skirted around the subject.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Chris Agius said the Prime Minister had been clear on the subject and there was nothing to add.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly Justyne Caruana said she was going to present a Bill on autism.

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela warned journalists to stay behind the rope, as per the Speaker’s orders.

Foreign Affairs Minister George Vella humphed.

Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture Roderick Galdes, MP Silvio Parnis, Government Whip Godfrey Farrugia and Transport Minister Joe Mizzi walked past the microphones.

The Malta Independent also spoke to Education Minister Evarist Bartolo after sources said that, during a meeting of the PL Parliamentary Group he told Konrad Mizzi that he should resign.