Environment Minister Leo Brincat this morning invited the auditor general to investigate his ministry's travel operations.

His request came following a newspaper article alleging that €1 million were spent on travel by his ministry in a year-and-a half, an allegation which he said was repeated in spite of his denial.

Mr Brincat called on the Speaker to intervene and invited the auditor to investigate his operations through the National Audit Office.

He said he did not lie, had nothing to hide and his officials could vouch he had always insisted on full transparency and that everyone had to be responsible for their behaviour.

Whip Carmelo Abela also asked the Speaker to investigate a claim made by in-Nazzjon yesterday and repeated in maltarightnow.com that the Prime Minister’s escort were ignoring new security regulations.