Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela yesterday categorically excluded any intention of expropriating or acquiring Palazzo Verdelin, which houses the Valletta police station.

On the other hand, Planning Parliamentary Secretary Michael Falzon, who is responsible for the Land Department, failed to reply to questions on whether he had discussed the expropriation of the imposing building in Archbishop Street with members of the Gaffarena family.

Last month, The Sunday Times of Malta reported that Marco Gaffarena was in negotiations with the owners of Palazzo Verdelin to buy their property for €3.5 million to sell it to the government at a profit.

One of the owners said Mr Gaffarena had contacted them with an offer telling them that the government would eventually acquire the building.

Read more in the Times of Malta.