Updated 5.30pm with the prime minister's reaction

Prime Minister Robert Abela on Monday dismissed a call by Bernard Grech for an independent inquiry into the "corrupt Electrogas contract".

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Abela said that if Grech had any evidence of corruption or wrongdoing in the deal, he had a duty to give it to a magistrate to investigate. 

Grech made his call for an independent inquiry when he said in a statement that he was accepting an invitation by Abela to visit Labour Party headquarters.

Grech added, however, that once he becomes Opposition leader, he would also request a formal meeting at Auberge de Castille to discuss urgent business.

Among the issues, he said he would propose the holding of an independent inquiry into the "corrupt" Electrogas contract.

The new PN leader said he was also keen to raise the people’s concerns about the government’s handling of COVID-19 and insist that political responsibility be shouldered for the situation in old people’s homes. 

He said he will also raise the need for dialogue with the social partners for greater assistance to the economic sectors impacted by the endemic.

Grech said he would also move his proposal for a national conference on population and migration.

On Sunday, Abela urged the opposition to join the government in a common policy on migration, adding, however, that the message must be that Malta is "full-up". 

In his reaction, Abela said Grech had a duty to hand any evidence he may have  of corruption in the power station deal to an inquiring magistrate. 

The deal has been at the centre of controversy, not least because one of the investors behind it, business tycoon Yorgen Fenech, stands charged with financing the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. 

Earlier on Monday Times of Malta reported how France’s national financial prosecutor’s office has been asked to open an investigation into whether four French-based banks and an investment fund were complicit with Electrogas in laundering the proceeds of corruption. 

Abela also criticised Grech for 'inviting himself' to Castille, saying he could go to Castille when he won a general election.

No need for a conference on migration, Malta is full up - Abela

Abela said there was no need for the conference on migration that Grech had proposed.

"There is no need for a conference...Bernard Grech needs to say if Malta is full up or not. He has said it isn't. Until the conference ends, more migrants will arrive. The position is clear, Malta is full up and Malta's interest comes first," he said. 

In a reaction to Abela's comments, Grech said they showed that the prime minister was after photo opportunities but was not prepared to discuss the county's issues.