It was "obvious" to Richard Cachia Caruana that the St John's Co-Cathedral Museum project would be scrapped at least four weeks before the decision was taken, he tells The Sunday Times today.

In a rare interview, Malta's Permanent Representative to the EU defends his role in the project proposed by the St John's foundation.

He insisted that at no stage was he involved in any of the decisions that led to the allocation of EU funds for the project, though he admitted that his personal involvement in the proposal might have led some people to attack it from the outset.

Mr Cachia Caruana also dismissed claims that he wielded too much power within the government and insisted that he took orders from his prime ministers rather than the other way round.

"When people don't like a particular decision taken in their regard, they find it easier to believe that I'm to blame, because they can't face up to the fact that this is what the Prime Minister thinks about them or one of their proposals or requests."

Commenting on Joseph Muscat's indirect attacks in his regard, he said the Labour leader was "pleasant to talk to when there is neither a microphone nor an audience present".

Asked if he was interested in becoming Malta's next EU Commissioner, he said: "The only thing I wish to see is the Prime Minister feeling free to nominate whoever he thinks is right for the job."