It is shameful that the Malta Police even entertained requesting Maria Efimova's extradition in the first place, and it should have been withdrawn, especially after the first Greek court denied it, Partit Demoratiku said in a statement today.

It bears remembering that Efimova has outed the Prime Minister’s wife as the ultimate beneficiary owner of Egrant, a company opened in Panama. All of Efimova’s claims that could be tested by the facts have all proven to be true, PD said in a statement. The Muscats have denied the claims.

It has been said countless times before, but it bears repeating, Malta’s reputation wouldn’t be in the dire straits it is in if the Prime Minister had done the right thing when the Pilatus Bank story had been exposed by Daphne Caruana Galizia in her blog, PD said.

Malta’s reputation wouldn’t be in the dire straits it is in if the Commissioner of Police had acted promptly to seal the bank, instead of stating that it was a matter of no interest. Then, its owner would not have been in a position to take out the two suitcases in the late evening of that same day. It is very telling that the Prime Minister faced the press and gave the order for the go-ahead for a magisterial enquiry on very specific terms only after a private jet which, by all accounts appears to have been carrying the said bags, had left the island en route to Dubai/Azerbaijan.

While it is no use crying over spilt milk, Partit Demokratiku reiterates that the long road to regaining our lost reputation will only begin when the Prime Minister tenders his resignation as Prime Minister, together with all those involved in these scandals.