Dr Frank Testa has stepped down from the investigation into allegations of political interference.

The allegation, which was revealed by MaltaToday and took place in 2014, claims that two senior politicians interfered in a drugs investigation by the police.

A government statement released today, read that Dr Testa filed his request to step down with the Prime Minister.

The statement reads that Dr Testa found out that one of the people involved in the alleged case is related to someone who works in his legal office.

He told the Prime Minister that since this relation was found, he felt that he should not continue heading the inquiry.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat thanked Dr Testa for his service, and expressed his regret that Dr Testa found himself under "unjust political attacks".

The PN had slammed the appointment of Dr Testa, arguing that he was close to the Labour Party.

Dr John Vassallo, described as "a lawyer with vast experience" in the government statement, has been appointed as his replacement. Dr Vassallo is also vice chairperson on the board of governors of the new lands authority.


PN Reaction

In a statement, the PN said that it was clear the Prime Minister Muscat did not wish to conduct an independent inquiry into the case since Dr Vassallo is a former labour candidate and has only been recently appointed as the Deputy Chairman of the Lands Authority, another member of the “corrupt clique in Castille”.

In reference to the capital one inquiry involving PN Deputy Leader Beppe Fenech Adami, the statement said that this time  Dr Muscat chose to appoint  a toothless inquiry to investigate the case rather than thee retired judges.