Bastjan Dalli, the brother of European Commissioner John Dalli, said in court today that a man who he could not identify, had told him while he was in prison under preventative arrest that he would be let out if he would admit that his brother was involved in the report by Joe Zahra, which claimed irregularities in the Mater Dei Hospital procurement process.

Mr Dalli, who is now out on bail, was giving evidence before Magistrate Miriam Hayman after filing an application for court authorisation to be allowed to go abroad.

He explained that he had been arrested twice by the police in connection with charges that he was involved in the importation of drugs - which later turned out to be bars of soap.

During his second period of arrest, a man had spoken to him from the hatch of his cell. He told him that if he admitted that his brother John was involved in the case of the report by Mr Zahra on procurement irregularities at Mater Dei Hospital, he would be allowed out.

He replied that he did not want to do anything of that sort. As soon as he was let out on bail, he spoke to his brother about what had happened. John Dalli told him he would speak to the Police Commissioner about it, but he was not sure whether he had actually done so.

Bastjan Dalli said he had not spoken about this matter before because he could not trust anyone.

On cross examination by Inspector Norbert Ciappara, Bastjan Dalli said he did not recognise who the person involved was. He did not know whether or not he was wearing a uniform and could only say that he had a male, low voice.

Asked by the court whether he suspected anyone, he said he did not.