The government is considering offering a reward for information about the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said last night.

Speaking on the TV programme Dissett, Dr Muscat said the police had 'an open cheque' to do whatever was necessary to solve this case.

He said he had no idea about the motive behind the crime. Abroad, such cases were about silencing people before they revealed something, he said.

He said the blogger had been refusing personal protection since about 2010, arguing that she did not want anyone to know who was going to and from her house. He could not impose such protection as he would have been accused of spying on people.

In the interview, Dr Muscat said that without wishing to sound insensitive he wanted the inquiry into the Egrant allegations made by Mrs Caruana Galizia to continue, so that he and his wife could clear their names. This was also needed in the interests of the nation, he said, adding his commitment to resign if wrongdoing by him was found.

Mrs Caruana Galizia had claimed that the prime minister's wife was the ultimate beneficiary of funds from a secret Panama company in which the daughter of the president of Azerbaijan was involved. Dr Muscat and his wife strongly denied the claims. 

Dr Muscat also referred to criticism of the Attorney General made by the Opposition. He defended the AG for the way he went about his duties, while pointing out that he had been appointed by the Gonzi government.