The police have reportedly been told that they need to get the green light from the Prime Minister to unlock the phone of Tax Commissioner Marvin Gaerty.

The Sunday Times of Malta reported that Gaerty’s phone is a “pandora’s box of sensitive information”, which includes an exchange between Abela and Gaerty on opposition leader Bernard Grech’s tax situation.

Grech’s issues with the taxman were well documented through his ultimately successful leadership campaign earlier this year.

Gaerty, who was interrogated by police earlier this month in connection with exchanges he had with Yorgen Fenech in 2014 and is currently on police bail, reportedly denied access to his phone, citing security legislation in the Income Tax Act, which can only be waived by the PM.

Gaerty declined to comment, refusing to answer questions on whether Abela had asked him to forward information on the Opposition leader, and whether he had provided the information.

Independent election candidate Arnold Cassola lodged a request with the Standards Commissioner George Hyzler to investigate the report, saying that “such behaviour is anathema in the democratic world” and that if the allegations are true, Abela should be kicked out of office.

“This country simply can't take any more of this indecent political behaviour,” he said in his request.

Bernard Grech meanwhile reacted to the story by saying that it is clear proof that the country’s institutions are not working as they should.