Opposition leader Simon Busuttil this evening questioned the government's intention to explore the possibility of an offshore gas storing facility, saying that its timing before next week's MEP election was suspicious.

Addressing a political activity in Kalkara, Dr Busuttil said that such plans did not make sense at all, considering that that just last week the government  signed an 18-year agreement for a floating gas storage facility in Marsaxlokk bay.

The PN leader accused the government of trying to "buy votes" and deceive people. He also criticised the fact that the media was not invited for the signing of the power station agreement with Electrogas Limited, remarking that this "lack of transparency" was raising questions. Dr Busuttil challenged the government to publish this contract before next week's election.

In his first reaction following the government's refusal to publish the contract signed by Henley and Partners who will be managing the citizenship scheme, Dr Busuttil said this signalled that something was not right and that the government had something to hide.

He added that Henley and Partners had already been involved in the financing of a political party, and expressed his hope that they would not "taint" Maltese politics as well.

Dr Busuttil also accused the government of turning the civil service into a labour party club through a series of partisan decisions and an outright policy of political discrimination.