The Prime Minister said today that he did not wish to comment about police charges against Sliema deputy mayor Cyrus Engerer and his father Chris, insisting that the government does not interfere in the work of the police.

Speaking this morning in reply to questions from journalists, Dr Gonzi said:

"I will not go into the merits of the case and I don’t want to comment."

Mr Engerer, 29, is being charged with keeping and/or circulating pornography and computer misuse.

He will also be charged with vilifying Marvic Camilleri, a former employee of the Nationalist Party and a former member of the PN youth movement (MŻPN).

The alleged crimes took place between December 2009 and January 2010.

The news was revealed today in The Times just days after it was reported that Chris, who owns a beach club in Sliema, was arrested after police caught him smoking marijuana outside his home.

The police actions took place 10 days after Mr Engerer resigned from the Nationalist Party and joined Labour.

Mr Engerer resigned from the PN on July 15 after calling for the Prime Minister's resignation on Facebook following Dr Gonzi's no vote on divorce in the second reading in Parliament.

He decided to remain an independent member of the Sliema local council, becoming the third elected PN candidate to do so.

Dr Gonzi insisted this morning that government does not interfere with the work of the police.

"We have always left it up to the police to investigate and that is how things should be."

The Prime Minister also referred to Mr Engerer's decision to leave the PN and join Labour reiterating that he respected his decision although he did not agree with it.