There is not enough proof for a criminal case against former Health Commissioner John Dalli, Police Commissioner Peter Paul Zammit said this evening.

Speaking on TVM’s programme Dissett, Dr Zammit said the Olaf investigation on Mr Dalli was an administrative one for which much less proof than for a criminal investigation was required.

He said that he had reviewed Mr Dalli’s case with the Attorney General, they had a profound discussion about it and the situation was clear - there was not enough proof to substantiate any accusation against Mr Dalli.

An Olaf investigation had concluded there was “unambiguous circumstantial evidence” that Mr Dalli knew a bribe was being asked for in his name but did nothing about it.

Mr Dalli has filed a complaint against the European Commission and tobacco firm Swedish Match in the wake of his forced resignation in October.

A Belgian judge is now calling on three MEPs who criticised the way the EU anti-fraud agency handled the Dalligate investigation to testify in the proceedings of the complaint.

Mr Dalli’s former canvasser, Silvio Zammit, allegedly asked Swedish Match for €60 million to lift a ban on snus, a form of tobacco consumed orally, which can only be sold in Sweden under present EU rules.