Malta could face political sanctions if Konrad Mizzi did not cooperate in a European Parliament investigation into the Panama Papers scandal, MEP Ana Gomes has warned.

Ms Gomes, the deputy chairwoman of the committee tasked by the European Parliament to look into EU member states’ involvement in the Panama Papers, told the Times of Malta there were methods of “encouraging cooperation” if countries did not play ball.

“There are political sanctions that can be taken against countries which do not cooperate with investigations of this nature. They have been used in the past. The committee also enjoys powers it can wield in such circumstances,” she said.

Ms Gomes, a socialist Portuguese MEP who forms part of the S&D group, said that not participating in “serious” inquiries of this nature only raised more concerns. “It suggests that there is something to hide,” she said.

She was reacting to unconfirmed reports that Dr Mizzi would not attend a grilling himself but would instead be sending a legal representative.

Asked about such reports, a spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister, speaking on behalf of the Minister Without Portfolio, said Dr Mizzi had not received any communication from the said committee.

The Times of Malta reported in July that MEPs would “definitely” seek Dr Mizzi’s testimony.

Declining to discuss the reports about Dr Mizzi’s presence or otherwise, Ms Gomes noted that logistics for the inquiry were still being discussed. She said it was still not clear whether the committee would  invite Maltese officials to Brussels or whether a delegation would visit Malta on a fact-finding mission.