The prime minister was defending minister Konrad Mizzi and chief of staff Keith Schembri at the expense of the Maltese people, who were suffering as Malta's  reputation as a financial investment destination was undermined, Opposition leader Adrian Delia said on Friday.

Speaking at a PN activity in Gozo, Dr Delia said Dr Muscat first said he did not know against whom the 17 Black inquiry was being held, but then said it was not against Keith Schembri. The prime minister would not say who was being investigated, but who wasn't. 

In his address Dr Delia said the government was ignoring Gozo's problems and difficulties such as the creation of quality jobs in Gozo and helping farmers.  

Gozo had also lost its only hospital, the government having sold it to Vitals, which then transferred it to Steward Healthcare in a controversial deal which the Opposition was contesting in court.  The Health Minister had said that Steward was 'the real thing' but he had now admitted that the government was renegotiating the contract, Dr Delia said.