Prime Minister says reward may be offered for information on Caruana Galizia murder

Joseph Muscat said a substantial monetary reward could be considered to help the police solve the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Speaking on TVM discussion programme Dissett this evening, the Prime Minister reiterated he will leave no stone unturned to ensure justice prevailed.

"Within the parameters of our laws the State can consider offering a substantial financial reward for information that could lead the police to solve this case," he said.

Muscat said it was his duty as Prime Minister to address the nation about this grave incident.

Asked about the harsh words expressed by Matthew Caruana Galizia, Daphne's son, this morning on his Facebook wall, Muscat said he would not engage with someone who was justifiably angry and hurt by what happened. "If I saw my mother in that state I would have probably said worse things."

The Prime Minister said the police officer Ramon Mifsud who rejoiced at Caruana Galizia's murder on his Facebook wall was suspended from the police force and disciplinary action would be taken. He condemned the sentiments expressed by Mifsud.

He insisted that it was Caruana Galizia who had refused police protection at her house after the fixed point had been withdrawn in 2010.

Muscat said he disagreed with the criticism being levelled at Attorney General Peter Grech, insisting he had been appointed by former prime minister Lawrence Gonzi. He specified that the AG was not appointed by a two-thirds majority as being demanded by the Opposition now. "Peter Grech had been appointed directly by the party in Opposition when it was in government," he insisted.

Asked about Opposition leader Adrian Delia's speech in Parliament tonight, Muscat described it as a "copy and paste" speech of Delia's predecessor. He refrained from commenting, insisting he would respond to it in Parliament tomorrow when the Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver his reaction to the budget.

Muscat said this murder was a major challenge for the country but insisted this was not the end of democracy as some were saying. "This country will overcome this challenge."

The Prime Minister acknowledged the murder had harmed the country internationally, adding he had accepted to be interviewed by international networks to face the music.