Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this morning he believed minister Austin Gatt when he said that he never spoke about oil procurement with rogue trader George Farrugia.

Dr Gatt, he said, was a serious man who knew when not to cross the line.

Dr Gonzi was replying to questions after going round the market in Zabbar, where he spoke to hawkers and shoppers.

He referred to Dr Gatt’s Swiss bank account and insisted that the minister had not hidden anything. It was the PL deputy leader, Toni Abela, who was hiding things and who had taken the Labour Party to the lowest level.

Dr Abela’s recordings in 2010, uncovered this week, had explosed a “big scandal" which he had opted to hide so as not to embarrass his party. It was even more scandalous that Labour leader Joseph Muscat was condoning this, he said.

The Prime Minister also expressed his confidence in the Police Commissioner when he said there was no case against Dr Abela.

He said that it was hypocritical and false of Labour, however, to say "Malta for all" and then seek the help of a Labourite policeman for an investigation not to be carried out.

Dr Abela, Dr Gonzi said, was obliged to report on illegalities even as lawyer.

While the PL opted to throw such matters under the carpet, the PN intervened and requested the police to investigate, he said.