The government has defended the head of Identity Malta, saying there was no reason to investigate him, as the police continue to probe allegations that thousands of visas and residence permits were issued fraudulently.

Last week, employees at Identity Malta, which is responsible for issuing passports, ID cards and work and residence permits, were arrested in a wide ranging investigation over the alleged racket.

This newspaper asked the government whether the agency’s executive chairman, Joe Vella Bonnici, had been asked for an explanation about what had taken place under his watch and whether he was under investigation.

The Home Affairs Minister said it was allowing the police and the security services to serenely conduct their investigation but there was no reason to probe the chairman himself. “The ongoing investigations were started by the agency itself,” a spokesperson said, adding that Mr Vella Bonnici was instrumental in this.

Attempts made to speak to Mr Vella Bonnici were unsuccessful, as he didn’t return calls.

Read more in the Times of Malta.