Former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat that everyone should "examine their conscience" when responding to the Maltese belief that corruption is widespread in Malta.

A Eurobarometer report revealed that over 90% of Maltese believe that corruption is widespread in Malta.

Emerging from parliament after he faced the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) for the third time on Tuesday afternoon, Muscat was asked by The Malta Independent whether this high percentage had to do with alleged scandals that Muscat has been linked to.

"I think it can be read into everything," Muscat said.

Muscat said that all institutions have something to worry about as there are many people who do not trust the courts or those who do not trust the media. He also noted that there are some who even criticise the corruption in public officials and politicians.

When referring to the alleged scandals that he has been linked to he said that he has always been able to give a clear answer for this.

Out of 514 Maltese respondents, between April and May, 93% of respondents said believed that corruption in Malta is widespread - this is a 13% increase from last year's results. Since then there have been many new revelations into the Steward Health Care and Vitals Global Healthcare hospitals’ concession agreement.

One point which emerged from a Times of Malta, The Shift News and OCCRP investigation was that Muscat is being investigated for a consultancy contract with a Swiss company that could have been used to disguise payments from the Vitals-Steward hospitals deal.

The Public Accounts Committee is currently discussing an investigation by the National Audit Office into how the contract for a new gas-fired power station was awarded to Electrogas.