Laurence Cutajar has been appointed police commissioner, three months after taking up the position as acting chief, the government said this evening.

The appointment is valid from today.

The letter of appointed was given to Mr Cutajar by Home Minister Carmelo Abela.

In reaction, the Nationalist Party said the government had lost a chance to reach consensus on the appointment of the police commissioner.

Three months ago, when Michael Cassar resigned the post, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil had proposed that the commissioner is appointed via a parliamentary consensus.

But Muscat, the PN said in a statement signed by deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami, does not want a commissioner who has the confidence of both sides of the House. Once again, Muscat chose his own interests above those of the nation. The only qualification Cutajar has is that he is a friend of the Prime Minister's the PN said.

If the new chief wants to be taken seriously, his first job should be to investigate the opening of secret companies in Panama by chief os ataff Keith Schembri and No Portfolio Minister Konrad Mizzi.