Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has brushed aside recent controversies involving John Dalli, saying he will judge the former European commissioner by his work.

Dr Muscat was asked by Times of Malta whether it was acceptable for Mr Dalli to appoint his daughter as personal assistant at Mater Dei Hospital, where he is tasked to pilot a reform process.

He was also asked whether Mr Dalli’s venture to the Bahamas, when he still formed part of the Brussels Executive, was ‘case closed’.

Dr Muscat insisted Mr Dalli was doing “a good job” at the hospital and he would evaluate his actions by the results achieved.

He said Mr Dalli’s assessment of the current practices at Mater Dei had uncovered “unforgivable” abuse and waste that ran into millions of euros.

“It is our commitment to keep the health service free but we cannot allow waste and possibly theft to continue. Someone has to answer for this,” Dr Muscat said, adding that a report detailing the abuse would be released shortly.

Mr Dalli was forced to resign from the European Commission last year after OLAF, the EU anti-fraud agency, implicated him in a case of bribery over tobacco legislation that he was piloting.

Sliema restaurateur Silvio Zammit, a former Dalli canvasser, was charged with bribery and trading in influence.

We cannot allow waste and possibly theft to continue

The Police Commissioner last month exonerated Mr Dalli, saying he had no proof to press charges. Soon after this statement, Mr Dalli said he was ready to offer his services to the Government and the Opposition.

The offer was snapped up by Dr Muscat, who tasked his former political opponent with the reform process at the main State hospital.

A couple of weeks later, news broke that Mr Dalli had flown to the Bahamas without informing the European Commission when he was still a member.

Mr Dalli admitted doing the trip, insisting he had discussed setting up a charitable fund.