The Nationalist Party will be naming former police chief John Rizzo to the Permanent Commission Against Corruption, The Malta Independent has learnt.

Last week, the government turned down the nomination of former Air Malta CEO Philip Micallef by the Partit Demokratiku, which forms part of the Opposition. But the nomination needs to be made by the Opposition Leader.

The PN decision was taken this weekend when the party held its traditional January weekend of meetings in Gozo.

The commission was left unable to function after Yana Micallef Stafrace was nominated as magistrate and Joe Cassar, a former magistrate, passed away.

Rizzo, 61, served as police commissioner for 12 years between 2001 and 2013. He was removed when Labour was elected to government. He was subsequently appointed as head of the Civil Protection, and retired in October 2016.

Janice Chetcuti will be named by the PN on the ERA board.

Both have accepted the party's nomination.