Prime Minister Robert Abela has refused the resignation of Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri, Labour party media reported on Sunday afternoon.

Camilleri sent shockwaves through the government as he offered his resignation and suspended the Brigadier of the Armed Forces of Malta after drugs were stolen from a confiscated shipping container which was being stored on army premises.

Approximately 200kg of cannabis resin was stolen at 3am on Sunday morning from a shipping container being stored on army grounds. The drugs had been confiscated at the Freeport back in June.

“Byron is known for his seriousness, integrity, and the professional manner by which he works,” Abela told journalists, as he announced that he would be refusing his minister’s resignation offer.

Abela also announced that he will be appointing an administrative inquiry which will run in parallel with the ongoing police investigation and magisterial inquiry. The terms of reference and the members of the inquiring board will be announced later, the Prime Minister said.