Ministers were tight lipped this afternoon about what was discussed at a five-hour Cabinet meeting today, urging journalists to wait for Monday’s debate on a no confidence motion in Parliament. 

But former Labour leader Toni Abela, who attended the meeting in his capacity as the prime minister's adviser, referred reporters to his speech last Thursday but did not elaborate.

In that speech, at the Labour general conference, Dr Abela had said that some of the toughest decisions he took as Labour deputy leader were against people he considered as his friends.

Education Minister Evarist Bartolo when entering the Auberge de Castille said the meeting was a normal one - despite new revelations about attempts by Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi and the Prime Minister’s chief of staff Keith Schembri to open up accounts in Dubai, Panama and Miami.

Mr Bartolo on Tuesday publicly said that he agreed with calls for Dr Mizzi’s resignation.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said he has nothing more to add to what he has said already. He reiterated that he is taking everything into consideration when asked about the latest revelations.

Tourism Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said that generating more jobs in Malta was on the cabinet's agenda today.

He refused to say whether the Panama scandal was to be discussed.

Dr Mizzi and Mr Schembri deny any wrongdoing.