At his own peril, Premier Joseph Muscat continues to downplay the seriousness of the allegations about his chief of staff, Keith Schembri, and Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi.

There is sufficient circumstantial evidence to warrant the immediate resignation/dismissal of both.  The consequences of the Premier’s illogical stance is already evident in the international fora and it is damaging the government’s and, indeed, Malta’s democratic credentials.

This is most alarming as it could well affect adversely the credibility of our financial services sector, not to mention the tourism sector, both of which are the main pillars of the country’s economy.

The Prime Minister should weigh carefully his in/action in regard to the Panamagate scandal as the theory of implication/association may well gain ground.

There is no point in attempting to dilute the wrongdoing by trying to carry out a tax audit. The proven fact of the companies  established secretly in Panama by both men cannot be refuted and that, whether the companies have yet operated or not, renders the position of both Schembri and Mizzi untenable.  If they do not have the decency to resign, it is up to the Prime Minister to clean up the mess before irreparable damage is caused to Malta’s reputation.