The Prime Minister has appointed Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, former commander of the AFM, to hold an inquiry and establish how a tanker, the MT Atlantik, left Maltese territorial waters despite an arrest order issued by a court.

The incident was revealed by The Sunday Times of Malta, which reported yesterday that patrol boats were otherwise occupied in Grand Harbour for the EU accession celebrations. An AFM spokesman, contacted by the newspaper, had refused to explain, citing national security.

Earlier today, the Opposition spokesman on home affairs called on the government to explain how a tanker slipped out of Maltese waters despite the court order.

Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi said the promotions given without merit, and vindictive transfers within the AFM, were ridiculing the service. That was what happened when experienced and competent officers were side-lined.

Dr Azzopardi said the government should also explain why assistance from other countries was not requested when the 150-metre tanker transited their waters.

Once the AFM was not able to notice and stop a tanker leaving Maltese waters, what guarantee was there that they detected boats which might be smuggling drugs or other items to Malta, Dr Azzopardi asked.