Education Minister Evarist Bartolo has not lifted a finger in the wake of allegations of corruption involving his ministry, the Nationalist Party said in a statement today.

The allegations revolve around requests for commission involving a person who was employed in the ministry by Mr Bartolo himself, the statement signed by shadow minister Therese Comodini Cachia and spokesman George Pullicino said.

Instead of taking action, the minister hid the case until it was revealed in the media and retained the person in question instead of suspending him. This is the same position Prime Minister Joseph Muscat took in the Panama Papers scandal, the PN said.

The people expected immediate action from the minister, including the setting up of an independent inquiry to investigate the case.

The minister should also suspend the person involved until the investigation is over and also explain the real reasons behind the resignation of Philip Rizzo from the post of chief executive officer of the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Schools.