The son-in-law of the man charged with threatening the head of the Government’s internal audit bureau (IAID), Rita Schembri, attempted to tamper with evidence before yesterday’s sitting, a court heard.

Simon Balzan had testified last week that he was told by a close friend, policeman Chris Granata, that Ms Schembri’s husband Mark had wanted to kill Mr Balzan’s father-in-law Joe Borg.

However, Mr Granata took the witness stand yesterday and denied he ever said anything of the sort. He claimed he had in fact been approached by Mr Balzan who tried to instruct him how to testify.

Mr Borg is pleading not guilty to attempting to blackmail Ms Schembri through an e-mail he sent two weeks ago after accusing her of breaching a lease agreement.

Ms Schembri is also a member of the European anti-fraud office OLAF and is at the centre of an investigation which she requested over allegations that she breached a code of ethics.

Mr Granata said yesterday that Mr Balzan had given him three options: to tell the truth, to say nothing or to lie.

He said that he phoned Police Inspector Chris Pullicino and told him about the incident.

Mr Granata said Mr Balzan was a close friend above whose establishment he lived.

The policeman’s brother Omar had also rented a restaurant from Mr Borg.

Testifying, the head of the civil service, Godwin Grima, confirmed that an internal investigation was underway which involved Ms Schembri. He said he had received the defendant’s e-mail and although it was privileged information, he had handed it over and it now formed part of the investigation.

Mr Grima said that Mr Borg was entitled, as was any other citizen, to file a report.

Magistrate Anthony Vella ruled that there was enough evidence for Mr Borg to be placed under a bill of indictment.