The Nationalist Party has struck out at the government over an Ombudsman report condemning the appointment process for an Assistant Police Commissioner back in 2016.

The Times of Malta had reported that the report showed that former police commissioner Lawrence Cutajar led a “parody” of a selection process and chose people promoted to the grade on the basis of personal trust rather than according to the manual.

“Prime Minister Robert Abela is today yet again faced with an Ombudsman report condemning how the government, today led by Abela, was the brains behind the ‘parody’ selection through which people in the Police Force were skipped over and not even considered for the position of Assistant Commissioner,” the PN said in a statement.

“This is another Ombudsman’s report on Robert Abela’s lap, condemning abuses that occurred under the eyes of and in agreement with ministers who are still in his Cabinet. Abela has political responsibility resting on his shoulders for all the injustices that occurred within the Police Force from 2013 till today, and which have not yet been remedied.”

The PN said it remains committed that, if elected to government, it will address every injustice that occurred under the Labour administration within the Police Force.