Snus manufacturer Swedish Match has claimed that it was asked for €60 million by Silvio Zammit to influence a decision by former Health Commissioner John Dalli on a tobacco product.

The company's communications manager Patrik Hildingsson was quoted in the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.

He said that a Swedish Match employee met the businessman in Malta after he had sought contact.

"The Maltese businessman expressed to us very clearly that he was speaking on behalf of Dalli. He had a manner and information that made us wary," Mr Hildingsson said.

"He said it was, in principle, political suicide to lift the ban and, therefore, he wanted money for it, simply put, since the career (of the EU commissioner) would be over afterwards."

Swedish Match declined the offer and informed the Commission of what had happened, Mr Hildingsson said.

According to the newspaper, €10 million were to be paid immediately, and €50 million once the law was changed.