The PANA Committee is insisting that Prime Minister Joseph Muscat appears before it to answer questions on “the possible involvement of (your) wife in suspected transactions related to the Panama Papers”.

In a letter sent today to the Prime Minister, PANA Committee chairman Werner Langen refers to a letter that the PANA committee sent in March to request the appearance of OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri for him to answer questions regarding the Panama Papers scandal.

Mr Langer said “with regret” that neither Muscat nor Schembri replied to the invitation.

In view of the recent developments, the committee officially extended the invitation to the Prime Minister. The committee made itself availahle on two days, 17 and 18 May.

Reports that the PANA committee had asked the PM to appear before it surfaced last week, with Muscat saying that he will speak to PANA only after the Egrant inquiry is concluded.

The letter sent today however exerts more pressure on the embattled Prime Minister, who called an early election in the wake of the serious allegations being made against him.

PANA letter

 

PN statement

The Nationalist Party said Joseph Muscat should immediately reply to Mr Langen and inform him that he will be attending the session, as requested.

“Joseph Muscat is well known for using the emergency exit but if he does the same this time round he will only be dealing more damage to our country’s reputation.”

 

The PN said the allegations the PM is facing are too serious to ignore. It said Muscat’s government is the most corrupt one in Maltese history and the choice in the next election is between him and Malta.