Malta Shipyards chairman John Cassar White said in a statement that he had offered his resignation because he felt it would be difficult to concentrate on the company’s priorities if he was going to have to defend himself against speculative reports in sections of the media.

The offer was made to Investments Minister Austin Gatt on 30 April, and was followed on 2 May by a meeting he had with the minister, Mr Cassar White said.

He added that the minister had assured him that he had always had, and still had, faith in Mr Cassar White’s integrity and ability and saw no conflict of interest.

His offer had not been accepted and the minister had asked him to carry on with his duties, said Mr Cassar White. He said he had decided to do so.