Daphne Caruana Galizia’s family have asked writers' society English PEN to refrain from being part of campaigns for justice for the slain journalist, according to the the PEN International.

Ms Caruana Galizia’s family criticised the board of English PEN after it failed to cut ties with deputy chair of the firm Mischon de Reya Anthony Julius as a trustee.

The law firm had “sought to cripple Ms Caruana Galizia financially with action in UK courts,” the family said.

“This is a distressing moment, and we would like to reiterate PEN International’s firm commitment to the defence of the right to freedom of expression and of free media,” PEN International president Jennifer Clement said.

PEN said it had carried out “a careful internal investigation” and that it found no reason to invite Dr Julius to stand down as a trustee.

“Dr Julius was invited to stand for election because he had given considerable support to English PEN in recent years, having offered pro bono assistance in our work with writers and journalists at risk,” the board of English PEN said.

In reaction, Matthew Caruana Galizia, Daphne Caruana Galizia’s son, said “the shock and disgust with which journalists and writers all over the world reacted to English PEN’s decision is something that’s surprised even me”.

“We all feel as though the organisation has abandoned the defence of free expression to serve as a platform for Mischon de Reya Anthony Julius,” Mr Caruana Galizia said.

He insisted that all the 150 PEN centres were fully autonomous, with independent governance and decision-making structures.

PEN International 'still works closely' with Caruana Galizia family

Ms Clement said the organisation remained firmly committed to protecting writers from abuses.

“We see more and more that legal processes are chilling free speech,” Ms Clement said.

“We need to look deeply, as an organisation, at what more we can do to combat new threats and the potential conflicts of interest in relation to our governance.”

PEN International said it is supporting and working closely with the Caruana Galizia family of Daphne  and is continuing to call for justice on her case and for the right to freedom of expression and the safety of journalists in Malta.

PEN International president Jennifer Clement said the organisation remained deeply concerned about the use of criminal, civil and SLAPP libel and defamation laws to silence journalists.