Former European Commissioner John Dalli had raised the prospect of lifting the snus ban in two official meetings, according to the EU anti-fraud chief.

Giovanni Kessler yesterday testified in the court case against Mr Dalli’s former canvasser Silvio Zammit, who is accused of eliciting bribes from Swedish snus producers in return for getting the EU-wide ban on the tobacco product lifted.

Dr Kessler said two former members of Mr Dalli’s cabinet, Joanna Darmanin and Paula Duarte, had told investigators from Olaf, the EU anti-fraud agency, that the ex-commissioner had raised it on January 24 and February 28, 2012.

Dr Kessler said these fresh revelations were obtained in the summer of 2013 and relayed to the Maltese Attorney General in July last year for further investigation.

The OLAF chief also said that former Police Commissioner John Rizzo in December 2012 had told him the police would charge Mr Dalli but were waiting for his return to Malta. Mr Dalli yesterday accused Dr Kessler of perjury and asked the Police Commissioner to take action against him.

The Olaf chief was also expected to give evidence in Parliament in connection with a breach of privilege complaint raised by the Prime Minister against the Opposition leader.

However, Mr Kessler did not show up. In a letter to the Speaker he said that the European Commission had not granted him permission to testify.