Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar has denied claims on the PN media that he had confirmed that minister Konrad Mizzi and chief of staff Keith Schembri were being investigated by the police in connection with the Panama Papers scandal.

Mr Cutajar said PN newspaper In-Nazzjon had incorrectly interpreted comments he made in TV programme Iswed fuq l-Abjad.

He insisted that as explained on March 24 last year, there was no reasonable suspicion that a crime had been committed, and therefore there was no investigation. 

In a sharp reaction, the Nationalist Party said the police commissioner was beating the retreat because he was the prime minister's puppet.

It pointed out during questioning on the Net TV programme the commissioner for three times said he could not give information on anyone under arrest, under reasonable suspicion of having committed a crime, or facing investigation or arraignment.

This meant that according to the commissioner, Dr Mizzi and Mr Schembri were, minimally, considered as suspects under investigation.  

The PN said that the commissioner was now beating the retreat, undoubtedly after a dressing down from Castille.   

It was no wonder that the people were losing confidence in both the government and the police, the PN said. 

In a reaction, the Labour Party said PN leader Simon Busuttil was showing his arrogance and vindictiveness by wanting to dismiss all those who did not agree with him.