The police have been carrying out investigations at the Gozo ministry since last Sunday after allegations emerged that ‘free construction works’ were carried out for constituents of former Gozo minister Giovanna Debono.

Sources said that the comprehensive search has somewhat hampered the ministry’s work over the past few days.

On Sunday, Maltatoday reported that the works were carried out for constituents through Mrs Debono’s husband, who the paper said worked at the ministry during his wife’s tenure as the head of its construction and maintenance unit.

The works are reported to include cement, concrete and construction works on quarries, private homes, roads and garages.

The newspaper said that Mr Debono would invoice the Gozo ministry for the works carried out. These free works were carried out up until the final days of the March 2013 general election.

The police have been handed a number of invoices for the free works, which include an illegal garage in a quarry, private works for a Nationalist Gozitan mayor, works on a restaurant near Victoria, works on private homes and even a fireworks factory.

In a statement, the former Gozo minister denied the allegations.

“I categorically deny the allegations being made against me, which are being used in a partisan way and for ulterior reasons of Joseph Muscat.” The former minister said she had spoken out because the allegations are being used in a partisan manner.

“Therefore I am defending my name, and my husband is doing the same. I am willing to repeat this under oath and I will cooperate in any way with any investigation that might be under way. Instead of pointing his finger at me, Joseph Muscat should look at the fingers pointing towards him on the Café Premier scandal, in which he was personally involved.”

PN leader Simon Busuttil has said he will await the conclusion of the police investigations before taking any action against Mrs Debono.