Former Labour prime minister and leader Alfred Sant today writes that Times of Malta should publish the result of an inquiry it instituted on its former managing director, Adrian Hillman.

Mr Hillman had become embroiled in the Panama Papers scandal, when he was listed as the shareholder and beneficiary of the British Virgin Islands-registered Lester Holdings Ltd. Mr Hillman stepped down from his position at the Times and an internal inquiry was launched after journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia alleged that the company had been opened to deposit kickbacks received from the Office of the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Keith Schembri. He denies the allegations.

Last week, Allied Newspapers Limited, publishers of Times of Malta, reached a private agreement with Mr Hillman concerning "any claims they have or may have had against each other. As a result, all litigation is being withdrawn."

In a statement, the OPM chief of staff welcomed the development, urging the publication of the results of the independent inquiry launched by Allied Newspapers.

The same call has been made by Dr Sant today.

In his blog on The Malta Independent, Dr Sant said the report of the inquiry should be published. “The Times” cannot shelter behind the claim that it is a private company.

With their refusal to publish the report of the inquiry they themselves commissioned, “The Times” have lost credibility when they feel the inclination to criticise the lack of  transparency of others.

Dr Sant's blog today