Police Commissioner advises minister not to comment on Mitts probe

Police Commissioner John Rizzo has advised the Infrastructure Ministry not to comment on the ongoing investigations into activities at Mitts because it could jeopardise the process.

Having been criticised for remaining mum about a probe into alleged spying at Mitts, the government's IT agency, Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt sought advice to establish whether public comment would prejudice the investigations.

The ministry quoted Mr Rizzo's reply saying that, despite the political implications involved, divulging certain facts might be detrimental to the course of investigations.

"I have no objection that you publish a public statement saying that a thorough investigation is in progress by the police through their Cyber Crime Unit," Mr Rizzo wrote.

He also said Dr Gatt could say that a number of persons had been arrested and were assisting the police in their investigations, without mentioning any names.

"One can also add that investigations have reached a stage where all computers seized by the police and the main server, suspected to have been compromised, are being thoroughly checked for information," Mr Rizzo said.

The Labour Party reacted to the ministry's comments saying Dr Gatt was being double-faced because he had already passed judgment on the case, calling the allegations "a pack of lies" on September 23 and "speculation without grounds" in another statement.

The MLP said such comments were an unacceptable form of pressure on the police investigations.

If it were up to the minister the story would still be hidden and it was only the MLP weekly KullĦadd that brought to light the "serious case of political and commercial spying", the party said.