It is up to the police to investigate claims by Joseph Muscat that he was tipped off about a raid at his Burmarrad home, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said on Thursday.

The former PM’s home was searched as part of the magisterial inquiry into the hospitals privatisation deal. Muscat told Times of Malta that someone in the PN had told him that MP Jason Azzopardi was telling people about the upcoming raid.

Grech told journalists on Thursday that Muscat’s allegations “are only intended only to divert attention away from him.”

He said the institutions should be allowed to carry out their duties freely. “If the police feel that the matter should be investigated, then they are obliged to do so.”

He said, however, that the real story here is that we have a former Prime Minister whose house was searched by the police, and a Prime Minister who is “clearly concerned and not focused on the country’s problems.”

Grech said that Abela is wasting time attacking him [Grech]. “He recently spoke about the need to show more respect as politicians and then he is the one who uses such disparaging remarks against a person occupying a constitutional role.”

He was referring to comments given by Abela on Wednesday, where he described Grech as a “cheap politician.” This after Grech said Abela had used the police to “intimidate” Joseph Muscat.

“I’m not interested in Robert Abela’s insinuations. I’m only interested in what is of benefit to the country,” Grech continued. He then attended a meeting with representatives of Air Malta employees.