Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi yesterday said he was “disgusted and hurt” by Labour leader Joseph Muscat’s statements about members of his family.

He said Dr Muscat had stooped to the lowest possible level in politics by implicating his son, David, in something completely unrelated to the ongoing oil commissions saga.

He was referring to Dr Muscat’s comments on Thursday that if PL financial controller Joe Cordina was guilty of corruption in the oil corruption scandal, as Finance Minister Tonio Fenech was implying, then the Prime Minister’s son – who played a similar role in the corruption-hit Italian firm Maugeri foundation – was also guilty using the same yardstick.

“This is disgusting and hurtful,” Dr Gonzi said during a visit to the Malta Freeport where he was briefed on an extension project.

Dr Gonzi did not respond to questions on whether he could guarantee that no members of his Cabinet had ever received a gift from rogue oil trader George Farrugia, in the light of allegations that Finance Minister Tonio Fenech was presented with a clock.

At the Malta Freeport, Dr Gonzi was shown work under way on the development of a new quay to accommodate larger ships.

An investment of €145 million has been undertaken at the Freeport over the past few years and another €31 million was to be invested this year.

Dr Gonzi praised the Freeport’s 1,400 workers for achieving high levels of productivity that enabled it to compete.

He was told that while competitors like Gioia Tauro had reduced their workforce by 450 workers during the 2009 financial crisis, the Freeport increased its staff complement and investment.

Before the tour, workers welcomed the Prime Minister into the canteen, where he chatted with them over coffee.