George Farrugia, the oil trader at the centre of the oil procurement scandal, was questioned by the police for some four hours following publication of new e-mails showing he had close connections with Godwin Sant, the former head of the energy regulation section of the Malta Resources Authority and with Emmanuel Mizzi, head of of the shipping unit of Enemalta’s petroleum division.

Mr Farrugia made a statement to the police and was then released.

The e-mails indicate that both officials had received gifts from Mr Farrugia, who was responsible for bids for Enemalta contracts on behalf of Total and Trafigura. Mr Mizzi may have informed Mr Farrugia about oil stocks at Enemalta.

Four officials linked to Enemalta have been taken to court in connection with the case but Mr Sant and Mr Mizzi were never previously mentioned.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat warned on Sunday, when the first e-mails were published by MaltaToday, that the presidential pardon given to Mr Farrugia could be rescinded if the police found he had not revealed the full truth about the case, one of the conditions of the pardon.

Mr Farrugia went abroad on Sunday but returned yesterday.