Minister without a portfolio Konrad Mizzi and the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Keith Schembri have both avoided saying whether they would be willing to appear before the European Parliamentary Committee looking into the Panama Papers, if they were to be asked.

The Malta Independent asked them a straightforward question; "If asked to appear before the EU Parliamentary committee regarding the Panama Papers, would you go, yes or no?  Why?"

In response, both, who were asked separately, refused to give a clear answer. Minister Mizzi said: "I have not received any correspondence on the matter. If I receive correspondence I will reply accordingly", while Mr Schembri said: "If I receive such a request and justification, i will reply accordingly".

Both the Minister Mizzi and Mr Schembri were found to have acquired companies in the secretive jurisdiction of Panama, and Mr Schembri also has a company in the British Virgin Islands.

While it is more likely that Minister Mizzi would be called before the Committee than it is for Keith Schembri, the possibility of Mr Schembri being summoned still exists.

An EU expert told this newsroom that if Minister Mizzi is asked to appear, not going could have serious impacts on Malta's EU Presidency as Parliament might see that as Malta snubbing them, thus meaning they might stonewall other initiatives coming from Malta during its Presidency.

EU MEPs have already indicated that Malta's reputation has been damaged by this scandal. Politico recently reported that German MEP Sven Giegold said: "This is all very embarrassing. We will raise this whole mess in the [European Parliament's special] Panama Papers committee. Malta has to get serious. It has to tidy up in order for the whole European financial infrastructure to gain credibility."

They also quoted Ana Gomes, a Portuguese MEP and vice chair of the Parliament's Panama Papers committee, who said Malta was in the crosshairs. "Malta is definitely a case for particular attention, not just because of allegations against the prime minister's chief of staff and the minister, and this latest development with the Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit chief resigning, apparently because his recommendations were not followed, but also because Malta is already on our radar."

With Malta set to take the Presidency next year, there is no doubt that the little island at the centre of the Mediterranean will appear on international news sites more frequently, however the lack of action taken by the Prime Minister on the Panama Papers issue could very well come back to haunt him.

Amid calls for Minister Mizzi's resignation, the Prime Minister removed his Health and Energy portfolio's and retained him as a minister within the office of the Prime Minister. In addition, no known action was taken against Keith Schembri.